Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Fairfield faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #555 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1992.
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 Fairfield 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
Earthquakes
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 Fairfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairfield, and Fairfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #555 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairfield’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Fairfield has more expected damage per building than 72% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Fairfield: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairfield flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $19K
Fairfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairfield
Disasters that paid out in Fairfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$36K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the City of Fairfield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$124K to the City of Fairfield for repairs
Wayne County has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fairfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairfield archive →Fairfield and its neighbors
Fairfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Big Mound Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lamard Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Fairfield 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Fairfield
Is Fairfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #555 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Fairfield since 1992, $68K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Fairfield 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 Wayne County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fairfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairfield’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 Fairfield?
By FEMA money that reached Fairfield, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $124K to the City of Fairfield for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Fairfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Fairfield’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairfield’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.