Photo: Languageteaching on Flickr · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Eureka as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eureka gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #371 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
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 Eureka 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
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 Eureka’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eureka, and Eureka’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #371 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Eureka’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Eureka has less expected damage per building than 52% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Eureka: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eureka flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eureka, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $1K
Eureka isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Woodford County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eureka
Disasters that paid out in Eureka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eureka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$74K to the City of Eureka for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Eureka for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$38K to the City of Eureka for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$8K to the City of Eureka for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the City of Eureka for repairs
Woodford County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Eureka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eureka archive →Eureka and its neighbors
Eureka is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruger Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Eureka | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Olio Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Eureka 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.
- 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 Eureka
Is Eureka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eureka has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #371 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). 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 Eureka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Eureka since 1979, $6K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Eureka 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 Woodford County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eureka?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eureka’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 Eureka?
By FEMA money that reached Eureka, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 16 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $74K to the City of Eureka for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Eureka at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Eureka’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eureka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eureka’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.