Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Erie as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erie gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1982.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Erie faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Erie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erie, and Erie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Erie’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $691K a year in losses across Erie: $389K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erie flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erie, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Erie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Whiteside County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erie
Disasters that paid out in Erie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Erie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the Village of Erie for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Village of Erie for repairs
Whiteside County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Erie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erie archive →Erie and its neighbors
Erie is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Erie | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Fenton Township | — | 600 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Erie faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Erie
Is Erie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erie has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Erie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Erie since 1982, $20K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Erie in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Whiteside County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Erie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erie’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Erie?
By FEMA money that reached Erie, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $21K to the Village of Erie for repairs.
Is Erie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Erie’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erie’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.