Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Makanda Township than in 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Makanda Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #676 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2005.
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 Makanda Township 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
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 Makanda Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Makanda Township, and Makanda Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #676 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Makanda Township’s residents live in 3 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, Makanda Township has more expected damage per building than 88% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Makanda Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Makanda Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Makanda Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $8K
Makanda Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Makanda Township
Disasters that paid out in Makanda Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Makanda Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to Makanda Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$120K to Makanda Township for repairs
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$2K to Makanda Township for repairs
Jackson County has had 12 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 Makanda Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Makanda Township archive →Makanda Township and its neighbors
Makanda Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makanda Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Carbondale Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Pomona Township | — | 723 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Makanda | — | 612 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 Makanda Township 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.
- 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 Makanda Township
Is Makanda Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Makanda Township has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #676 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Makanda Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Makanda Township since 2005, $32K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Makanda Township 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 Jackson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Makanda Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Makanda Township’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 Makanda Township?
By FEMA money that reached Makanda Township, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2009): $120K to Makanda Township for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Makanda Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Makanda Township’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Makanda Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Makanda Township’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.