Photo: Jaylon Vermost · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Kewanee than in 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kewanee gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #98 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then strong wind (22%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1981.
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 Kewanee 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
Strong wind
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 Kewanee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kewanee, and Kewanee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #98 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kewanee’s residents live in 4 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, Kewanee has less expected damage per building than 87% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Kewanee: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kewanee flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kewanee, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $3K
Kewanee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kewanee
Disasters that paid out in Kewanee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kewanee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng228 households applied for aid$259K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$47K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the City of Kewanee for repairs
- 2006Snow$17K to the City of Kewanee for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$11K to the City of Kewanee for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$23K to the City of Kewanee for repairs
Henry County has had 13 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 Kewanee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kewanee archive →Get ready for what Kewanee 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Kewanee
Is Kewanee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kewanee has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #98 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and strong wind (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kewanee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Kewanee since 1981, $14K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Kewanee 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 Henry County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kewanee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kewanee’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 Kewanee?
By FEMA money that reached Kewanee, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 228 households applied for aid, $259K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Kewanee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Kewanee’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kewanee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kewanee’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.