Photo: Soperville · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Henderson Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Henderson 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Henderson Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Henderson Township, and Henderson Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Henderson Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $455K a year in losses across Henderson Township: $234K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Henderson Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Henderson Township, from FEMA’s records: 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $1K
Henderson 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: Knox County.The storms Henderson Township remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Knox County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Henderson Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20133 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Knox County
- 19822 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Knox County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Henderson Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Henderson Township archive →Henderson Township and its neighbors
Henderson Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Sparta Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Galesburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Galesburg City Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Rio Township | — | 343 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kelly Township | — | 435 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Galesburg Township | — | 226 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 Henderson 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Henderson Township
Is Henderson Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson Township has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Henderson Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Henderson Township since 1979, $60K in all, or 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Henderson 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 Knox County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Henderson Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Henderson 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 Henderson Township?
By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Henderson Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Henderson Township’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Henderson Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Henderson 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.