Photo: Scottinalton · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Jerseyville 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, Jerseyville gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #293 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1985.
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 Jerseyville 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Jerseyville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jerseyville, and Jerseyville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #293 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jerseyville’s residents live in 2 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, Jerseyville has less expected damage per building than 62% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Jerseyville: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jerseyville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jerseyville, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jerseyville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jersey County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jerseyville
Disasters that paid out in Jerseyville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jerseyville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$845 aid approved$48K to the City of Jerseyville for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$20K to the City of Jerseyville for repairs
Jersey County has had 17 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 Jerseyville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jerseyville archive →Get ready for what Jerseyville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Jerseyville
Is Jerseyville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jerseyville has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #293 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jerseyville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Jerseyville since 1985, $32K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jerseyville 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 Jersey County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jerseyville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jerseyville’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 Jerseyville?
By FEMA money that reached Jerseyville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 2 households applied for aid, $845 approved, and $48K to the City of Jerseyville for repairs.
Is Jerseyville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Jerseyville’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jerseyville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jerseyville’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.