Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Herrin than in 85% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Herrin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #702 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Herrin 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
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 Herrin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Herrin, and Herrin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #702 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Herrin’s residents live in 5 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, Herrin has more expected damage per building than 91% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Herrin: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Herrin flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Herrin, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Herrin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Herrin
Disasters that paid out in Herrin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Herrin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding79 households applied for aid$299K aid approved
Williamson County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Herrin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Herrin archive →Herrin and its neighbors
Herrin is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carterville | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Crainville | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | — |
| Herrin | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Energy | — | 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 Herrin 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.
- 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 Herrin
Is Herrin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Herrin has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #702 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Herrin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Herrin since 1982, $54K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Herrin 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 Williamson County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Herrin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Herrin’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 Herrin?
By FEMA money that reached Herrin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 79 households applied for aid, $299K approved.
Is Herrin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Herrin’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Herrin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Herrin’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.