Photo: Willjay · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Le Roy as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Roy gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #340 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Le Roy 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
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 Le Roy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Le Roy, and Le Roy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #340 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Le Roy’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, Le Roy has less expected damage per building than 56% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Le Roy: $935K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Le Roy flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Le Roy. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Le Roy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLean County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Le Roy
Disasters that paid out in Le Roy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Le Roy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$17K to the City of Le Roy for repairs
McLean County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Le Roy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Le Roy archive →Get ready for what Le Roy 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.
- 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 Le Roy
Is Le Roy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Roy has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #340 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Le Roy 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 McLean County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Le Roy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Le Roy’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 Le Roy?
By FEMA money that reached Le Roy, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $17K to the City of Le Roy for repairs.
Is Le Roy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Le Roy’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Le Roy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Le Roy’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.