Photo: AlphaBeta135 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Manhattan Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #345 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Manhattan 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
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 Manhattan Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manhattan Township, and Manhattan Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #345 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manhattan Township’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, Manhattan Township has less expected damage per building than 55% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Manhattan Township: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manhattan Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manhattan Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $10K
Manhattan 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: Will County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manhattan Township
Disasters that paid out in Manhattan Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Manhattan Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to Manhattan Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to Manhattan Township for repairs
Will County has had 16 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 Manhattan Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manhattan Township archive →Manhattan Township and its neighbors
Manhattan Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| New Lenox Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 78 |
| Frankfort | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Manhattan Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Green Garden Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wilton Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Manhattan 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.
- 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 Manhattan Township
Is Manhattan Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan Township has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #345 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manhattan Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Manhattan Township since 1982, $46K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Manhattan 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manhattan Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manhattan 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 Manhattan Township?
By FEMA money that reached Manhattan Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $14K to Manhattan Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Manhattan Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Manhattan Township’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manhattan Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manhattan 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.