Photo: Green254 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Gillespie faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gillespie gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #352 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then earthquakes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Gillespie 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
Earthquakes
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 Gillespie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gillespie, and Gillespie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #352 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gillespie’s residents live in 2 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, Gillespie has less expected damage per building than 54% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Gillespie: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gillespie flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gillespie, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $307
Gillespie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macoupin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gillespie
Disasters that paid out in Gillespie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gillespie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the City of Gillespie for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$57K to the City of Gillespie for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$2K to the City of Gillespie for repairs
Macoupin County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gillespie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gillespie archive →Gillespie and its neighbors
Gillespie has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gillespie | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| East Gillespie | — | 367 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 Gillespie 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Gillespie
Is Gillespie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gillespie has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #352 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and earthquakes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gillespie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Gillespie since 1982, $14K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Gillespie 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 Macoupin County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Gillespie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gillespie’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 Gillespie?
By FEMA money that reached Gillespie, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $57K to the City of Gillespie for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $307.
Is Gillespie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Gillespie’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gillespie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gillespie’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.