Storms, floods and disasters in Freeburg Township
Freeburg Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Freeburg Township yet. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1996.
What Freeburg 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.
Does Freeburg Township flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freeburg Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $16K
- The Late July Flooding2 claims · $22K
- The March storm1 claim · $4K
Freeburg 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: St. Clair County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freeburg Township
Disasters that paid out in Freeburg Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Freeburg Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng18 households applied for aid$28K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding5 households applied for aid$300 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
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 Freeburg Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freeburg Township archive →Freeburg Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Shiloh Valley Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Belleville | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| New Athens Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Smithton Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Engelmann Township | — | 758 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 Freeburg 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 Freeburg Township
Does Freeburg Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Freeburg Township since 1996, $121K in all. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Freeburg 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Freeburg Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freeburg 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 Freeburg Township?
By FEMA money that reached Freeburg Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 18 households applied for aid, $28K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $16K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freeburg Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freeburg 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.