Photo: Imdanielduncan · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, LaSalle faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, LaSalle gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #24 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1995.
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 LaSalle 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 LaSalle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in LaSalle, and LaSalle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #24 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
LaSalle’s residents live in 6 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, LaSalle has less expected damage per building than 97% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across LaSalle: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does LaSalle flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in LaSalle, 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.
LaSalle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Salle County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to LaSalle
Disasters that paid out in LaSalle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of LaSalle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$80K to the City of LaSalle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2006Snow$27K to the City of LaSalle for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$16K to the City of LaSalle for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$19K to the City of LaSalle for repairs
La Salle County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of LaSalle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the LaSalle archive →LaSalle and its neighbors
LaSalle has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaSalle | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| LaSalle Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Peru | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| North Utica | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Utica Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Peru Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Dimmick Township | — | 712 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 LaSalle 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 LaSalle
Is LaSalle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, LaSalle has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #24 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does LaSalle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in LaSalle since 1995, $77K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is LaSalle 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 La Salle County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in LaSalle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for LaSalle’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 LaSalle?
By FEMA money that reached LaSalle, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $80K to the City of LaSalle for repairs.
Is LaSalle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and LaSalle’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in LaSalle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where LaSalle’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.