More hazard damage per building is expected in Fort Russell Township than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Russell Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #484 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (18%). 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 Fort Russell 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
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 Fort Russell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Russell Township, and Fort Russell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 18% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #484 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Russell Township’s residents live in 5 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, Fort Russell Township has more expected damage per building than 63% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Fort Russell Township: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Russell Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Russell Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $74K
Fort Russell 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: Madison County.The storms Fort Russell Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Madison County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Fort Russell Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19791 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Madison County
- 20031 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20151 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Madison County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fort Russell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Russell Township archive →Fort Russell Township and its neighbors
Fort Russell Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edwardsville Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Bethalto | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Hamel Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Moro Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fort Russell Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wood River Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Roxana | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Fort Russell 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.
- 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 Fort Russell Township
Is Fort Russell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Russell Township has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #484 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Russell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Fort Russell Township since 1979, $105K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Fort Russell 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 Madison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Russell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Russell 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 Fort Russell Township?
By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $74K.
Is Fort Russell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Fort Russell Township’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Russell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Russell 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.