More hazard damage per building is expected in Fairmont City than in 88% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairmont City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Fairmont City 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 Fairmont City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairmont City, and Fairmont City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 43%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairmont City’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Fairmont City: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairmont City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairmont City, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairmont City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairmont City
Disasters that paid out in Fairmont City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Fairmont City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng3 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding3 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$35K to the Village of Fairmont City for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$27K to the Village of Fairmont City for repairs
St. Clair County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fairmont City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairmont City archive →Fairmont City and its neighbors
Fairmont City is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collinsville | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Caseyville | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Madison | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Fairmont City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Canteen Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| East St. Louis | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| Washington Park | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| East St. Louis Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Stites Township | — | 729 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brooklyn | — | 729 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 Fairmont City 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 Fairmont City
Is Fairmont City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairmont City has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairmont City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fairmont City since 1979, $3K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fairmont City 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fairmont City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairmont City’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 Fairmont City?
By FEMA money that reached Fairmont City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $35K to the Village of Fairmont City for repairs.
Is Fairmont City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Fairmont City’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairmont City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairmont City’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.