On FEMA’s figures, Genoa faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Genoa gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #265 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Genoa 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
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 Genoa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Genoa, and Genoa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B #265 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Genoa’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, Genoa has less expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Genoa: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Genoa flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Genoa. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Genoa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Genoa
Disasters that paid out in Genoa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Genoa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Genoa for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$32K to the City of Genoa for repairs
- 2006Snow$6K to the City of Genoa for repairs
DeKalb County has had 9 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 Genoa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Genoa archive →Genoa and its neighbors
Genoa has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genoa | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Kingston Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Genoa Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Genoa 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.
- 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 Genoa
Is Genoa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Genoa has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #265 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) 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.
Is Genoa 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 DeKalb County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Genoa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Genoa’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 Genoa?
By FEMA money that reached Genoa, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 19 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $32K to the City of Genoa for repairs.
Is Genoa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Genoa’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Genoa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Genoa’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.