Photo: Dual Freq · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Mahomet than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahomet gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #672 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1979.
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 Mahomet 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 Mahomet’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mahomet, and Mahomet’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #672 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mahomet’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, Mahomet has more expected damage per building than 87% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Mahomet: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mahomet flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mahomet, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mahomet isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Champaign County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mahomet
Disasters that paid out in Mahomet itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Mahomet), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to the Village of Mahomet for repairs
Champaign County has had 8 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 Mahomet after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mahomet archive →Mahomet and its neighbors
Mahomet is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hensley Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Newcomb Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mahomet | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Mahomet Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Lake of the Woods | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Mahomet 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 Mahomet
Is Mahomet at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahomet has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #672 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mahomet flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Mahomet since 1979, $54K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mahomet 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 Champaign County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mahomet?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mahomet’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 Mahomet?
By FEMA money that reached Mahomet, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $5K to the Village of Mahomet for repairs.
Is Mahomet at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Mahomet’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mahomet.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mahomet’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.