Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Flora faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flora gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #343 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (45%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2015.
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 Flora faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Flora’s grade
Earthquakes are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flora, and Flora’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #343 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Flora’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, Flora has less expected damage per building than 55% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Flora: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flora flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flora, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Flora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Flora
Disasters that paid out in Flora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Flora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Flora for repairs
Clay County has had 2 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Flora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flora archive →Get ready for what Flora faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Flora
Is Flora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flora has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #343 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (45%) and river and rain flooding (38%). 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 Flora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Flora since 2015, $29K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Flora 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 Clay County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Flora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Flora’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 Flora?
By FEMA money that reached Flora, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $12K to the City of Flora for repairs.
Is Flora at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Flora’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flora’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.