Godfrey, Benjamin, Memorial Chapel · Photo: Joseph T. Golabowski · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Godfrey 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, Godfrey gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #300 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Godfrey’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Godfrey 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 Godfrey’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Godfrey, and Godfrey’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 21% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #300 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Godfrey’s residents live in 6 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, Godfrey has less expected damage per building than 61% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Godfrey: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Godfrey flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Godfrey, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $187K
Godfrey isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Godfrey
Disasters that paid out in Godfrey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Godfrey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the Village of Godfrey for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$25K to the Village of Godfrey for repairs
Madison County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Godfrey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Godfrey archive →Godfrey and its neighbors
Godfrey has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godfrey | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Alton | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Foster Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Piasa Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Elsah Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 244 |
| Alton Township | — | not graded yet | |
| West Alton | — | 467 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 Godfrey 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 Godfrey
Is Godfrey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Godfrey has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #300 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Godfrey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Godfrey since 1978, $288K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Godfrey 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 Madison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Godfrey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Godfrey’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 Godfrey?
By FEMA money that reached Godfrey, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 12 households applied for aid, $43K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $187K.
Is Godfrey at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Godfrey’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Godfrey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Godfrey’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.