Photo: Catching12 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Granite City than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granite City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #745 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 104 claims here since 1979.
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 Granite City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Granite City 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
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 Granite City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Granite City, and Granite City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 22% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #745 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Granite City’s residents live in 12 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, Granite City has more expected damage per building than 97% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.6M a year in losses across Granite City: $14.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Granite City flood? Yes: 104 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Granite City, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike8 claims · $34K
- The Midwest Flooding8 claims · $90K
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $8K
Granite City 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 Granite City
Disasters that paid out in Granite City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Granite City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$878K to the City of Granite City for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$830K to the City of Granite City for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$56K to the City of Granite City 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 Granite City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Granite City archive →Granite City and its neighbors
Granite City is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chouteau Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Hartford | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Venice Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Madison | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Pontoon Beach | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Granite City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Nameoki Township | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Granite City 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 Granite City 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.
- 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 Granite City
Is Granite City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granite City has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #745 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Granite City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 104 claims in Granite City since 1979, $663K in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (8).
Is Granite City 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 Granite City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Granite City’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 Granite City?
By FEMA money that reached Granite City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $878K to the City of Granite City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 8 paid, $34K.
Is Granite City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Granite City’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Granite City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Granite City’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.