Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5FEMA puts Flagg Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flagg Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #439 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1993.
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 Flagg Township 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 Flagg Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flagg Township, and Flagg Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #439 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Flagg Township’s residents live in 4 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, Flagg Township has more expected damage per building than 57% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Flagg Township: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flagg Township flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flagg Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Flagg Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ogle County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Flagg Township
Disasters that paid out in Flagg Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Flagg Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to Flagg Township for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$8K to Flagg Township for repairs
Ogle County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Flagg Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flagg Township archive →Flagg Township and its neighbors
Flagg Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochelle | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Flagg Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Hillcrest | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dement Township | — | 903 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Reynolds Township | — | 266 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| White Rock Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Lafayette Township | — | 264 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 Flagg Township 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 Flagg Township
Is Flagg Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flagg Township has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #439 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Flagg Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Flagg Township since 1993, $126K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Flagg Township 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Flagg Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Flagg Township’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 Flagg Township?
By FEMA money that reached Flagg Township, Record Snow and Near Record Snow (2008): $10K to Flagg Township for repairs.
Is Flagg Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Flagg Township’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flagg Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flagg Township’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.