Photo: Stevedrone91 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Freeport than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #579 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 73 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Freeport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Freeport 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 Freeport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freeport, and Freeport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #579 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freeport’s residents live in 8 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, Freeport has more expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.6M a year in losses across Freeport: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freeport flood? Sometimes: 73 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freeport, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $40K
Freeport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stephenson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freeport
Disasters that paid out in Freeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Freeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1,505 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$49K to the City of Freeport for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$26K to the City of Freeport for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding256 households applied for aid$317K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Stephenson County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Freeport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freeport archive →Freeport and its neighbors
Freeport is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlem Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Florence Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lancaster Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Freeport | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| Freeport Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Silver Creek Township | — | 462 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 Freeport 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 Freeport
Is Freeport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #579 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 73 claims in Freeport since 1980, $1.2M in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (5).
Is Freeport 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 Stephenson County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Freeport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freeport’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 Freeport?
By FEMA money that reached Freeport, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 1,505 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $49K to the City of Freeport for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $40K.
Is Freeport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Freeport’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freeport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freeport’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.