More hazard damage per building is expected in Fairview Heights than in 64% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview Heights gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #496 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Fairview Heights 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
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 Fairview Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairview Heights, and Fairview Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 40% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #496 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairview Heights’ residents live in 10 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, Fairview Heights has more expected damage per building than 65% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.1M a year in losses across Fairview Heights: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairview Heights flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairview Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairview Heights 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairview Heights
Disasters that paid out in Fairview Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairview Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng303 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding290 households applied for aid$507K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$86K to the City of Fairview Heights 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 Fairview Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairview Heights archive →Fairview Heights and its neighbors
Fairview Heights is 2nd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Fairview Heights | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Caseyville Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Swansea | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| St. Clair Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Belleville | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Caseyville | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Canteen Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| East St. Louis | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| East St. Louis Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Fairview Heights 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.
- 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 Fairview Heights
Is Fairview Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview Heights has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #496 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairview Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Fairview Heights since 1979, $14K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fairview Heights 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 Fairview Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairview Heights’ 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 Fairview Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Fairview Heights, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 303 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved.
Is Fairview Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Fairview Heights’ rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairview Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairview Heights’ 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.