On FEMA’s figures, Greenfield Township faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenfield Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Greenfield Township 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 Greenfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenfield Township, and Greenfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Greenfield Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Greenfield Township: $548K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenfield Township flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 44.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $26K
Greenfield Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grundy County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Greenfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Greenfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to Greenfield Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$5K to Greenfield Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to Greenfield Township for repairs
Grundy County has had 12 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 Greenfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenfield Township archive →Greenfield Township and its neighbors
Greenfield Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braceville Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Essex Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gardner | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Greenfield Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Garfield Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Greenfield Township 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 Greenfield Township
Is Greenfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenfield Township has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (8%). 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.
Does Greenfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Greenfield Township since 1979, $322K in all, or 44.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Greenfield Township 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 Grundy County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenfield Township’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 Greenfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Greenfield Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $6K to Greenfield Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Greenfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Greenfield Township’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenfield Township’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.