Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Johnston City faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnston City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #706 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then earthquakes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Johnston City 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 Johnston City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnston City, and Johnston City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #706 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Johnston City’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, Johnston City has more expected damage per building than 92% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Johnston City: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnston City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Johnston City, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $907
Johnston City 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 Johnston City
Disasters that paid out in Johnston City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Johnston City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$106K 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 Johnston City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnston City archive →Get ready for what Johnston City 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 Johnston City
Is Johnston City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnston City has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #706 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and earthquakes (32%). 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 Johnston City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Johnston City since 1996, $14K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Johnston City 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 Johnston City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Johnston City’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 Johnston City?
By FEMA money that reached Johnston City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 18 households applied for aid, $106K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $907.
Is Johnston City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Johnston City’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnston City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnston City’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.