More hazard damage per building is expected in Forsyth than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forsyth gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #500 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1990.
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 Forsyth 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
Earthquakes
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 Forsyth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forsyth, and Forsyth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #500 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Forsyth’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, Forsyth has more expected damage per building than 65% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Forsyth: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forsyth flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forsyth, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $8K
Forsyth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macon County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forsyth
Disasters that paid out in Forsyth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Forsyth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the Village of Forsyth for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$22K to the Village of Forsyth for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to the Village of Forsyth for repairs
Macon County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Forsyth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forsyth archive →Forsyth and its neighbors
Forsyth is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Forsyth | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Forsyth 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Forsyth
Is Forsyth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forsyth has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #500 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Forsyth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Forsyth since 1990, $47K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Forsyth 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 Macon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forsyth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forsyth’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 Forsyth?
By FEMA money that reached Forsyth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $33K to the Village of Forsyth for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Forsyth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Forsyth’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forsyth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forsyth’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.