Photo: rboed* · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Galena faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #496 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1985.
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 Galena 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 Galena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galena, and Galena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #496 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Galena’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, Galena has more expected damage per building than 65% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Galena: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galena flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galena, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $305
Galena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jo Daviess County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galena
Disasters that paid out in Galena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Galena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the City of Galena for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding43 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$31K to the City of Galena for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$13K to the City of Galena for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms and Flash Flooding$9K to the City of Galena for repairs
Jo Daviess County has had 13 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 Galena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galena archive →Galena and its neighbors
Galena is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Galena Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| West Galena Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Galena | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Rawlins Township | — | 595 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 Galena 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 Galena
Is Galena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #496 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) 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 Galena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Galena since 1985, $293K in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Galena 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 Jo Daviess County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Galena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galena’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 Galena?
By FEMA money that reached Galena, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 43 households applied for aid, $100K approved, and $31K to the City of Galena for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $305.
Is Galena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Galena’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galena’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.