On FEMA’s figures, Jerome faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jerome gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2014.
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 Jerome 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
Earthquakes
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 Jerome’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jerome, and Jerome’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jerome’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $714K a year in losses across Jerome: $381K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jerome flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jerome, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jerome isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sangamon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jerome
Disasters that paid out in Jerome itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Jerome), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the Village of Jerome for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Village of Jerome for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$11K to the Village of Jerome for repairs
- 2006Tornadoes and Severe Storms6 households applied for aid$700 aid approved$49K to the Village of Jerome for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to the Village of Jerome for repairs
Sangamon County has had 9 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 Jerome after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jerome archive →Jerome and its neighbors
Jerome is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodside Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Jerome | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Jerome 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Jerome
Is Jerome at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jerome has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jerome flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Jerome since 2014, $74K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jerome 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 Sangamon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jerome?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jerome’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 Jerome?
By FEMA money that reached Jerome, Tornadoes and Severe Storms (2006): 6 households applied for aid, $700 approved, and $49K to the Village of Jerome for repairs.
Is Jerome at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Jerome’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jerome.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jerome’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.