Photo: Barry Gilfry from Cornpatch, Iowa · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hamilton than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #512 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Hamilton 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
Strong wind
Hail
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 Hamilton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamilton, and Hamilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #512 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hamilton’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, Hamilton has more expected damage per building than 67% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Hamilton: $448K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamilton flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamilton, from FEMA’s records: 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding4 claims · $47K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $21K
Hamilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamilton
Disasters that paid out in Hamilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hamilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Hamilton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$53K to the City of Hamilton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the City of Hamilton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$35K to the City of Hamilton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$4K to the City of Hamilton for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$6K to the City of Hamilton for repairs
Show all 8
- 2001Flooding$4K to the City of Hamilton for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the City of Hamilton for repairs
Hancock County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hamilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamilton archive →Hamilton and its neighbors
Hamilton is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Hamilton | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Montebello Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Rocky Run-Wilcox Township | — | 199 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 Hamilton 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Hamilton
Is Hamilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #512 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and strong wind (9%). 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 Hamilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Hamilton since 1982, $160K in all, or 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Hamilton 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 Hancock County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamilton’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 Hamilton?
By FEMA money that reached Hamilton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 7 households applied for aid, $55K approved, and $35K to the City of Hamilton for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $47K.
Is Hamilton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Hamilton’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamilton’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.