Photo: Jimmy Thomas · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Galesburg than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galesburg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #546 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1982.
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 Galesburg 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.
What’s behind Galesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galesburg, and Galesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #546 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Galesburg’s residents live in 11 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, Galesburg has more expected damage per building than 71% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Galesburg: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galesburg flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galesburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $1K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $3K
Galesburg 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galesburg
Disasters that paid out in Galesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Galesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the City of Galesburg for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding313 households applied for aid$423K aid approved$10K to the City of Galesburg for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$103K to the City of Galesburg for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$486K to the City of Galesburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Snow$44K to the City of Galesburg for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$34K to the City of Galesburg 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galesburg archive →Galesburg and its neighbors
Galesburg is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Knox Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Henderson Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Galesburg City Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Galesburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Galesburg Township | — | 226 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 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
Is Galesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galesburg has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #546 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Galesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Galesburg since 1982, $145K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Galesburg 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galesburg’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?
By FEMA money that reached Galesburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $486K to the City of Galesburg for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Galesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Galesburg’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galesburg’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.