Photo: Jimmy Thomas · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Galesburg Township
Galesburg Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Galesburg Township has 226 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
What Galesburg 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Strong wind
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 Galesburg Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galesburg Township, from FEMA’s records.
Galesburg 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: Knox County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galesburg Township
Disasters that paid out in Galesburg Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Galesburg Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to Galesburg Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to Galesburg Township for repairs
Knox County has had 8 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 Galesburg Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galesburg Township archive →Galesburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knox Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cedar Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Henderson Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Galesburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Galesburg City Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Coldbrook Township | — | 299 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| East Galesburg | — | 713 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 Galesburg 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Galesburg Township
Does Galesburg Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Galesburg Township since 2007, $934 in all.
Is Galesburg 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 Knox County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Galesburg Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galesburg 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 Galesburg Township?
By FEMA money that reached Galesburg Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $9K to Galesburg Township for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galesburg Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galesburg 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.