Photo: AlphaBeta135 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Manhattan faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #349 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manhattan, and Manhattan’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− #349 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manhattan’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 has less expected damage per building than 55% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Manhattan: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manhattan flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manhattan, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $22K
Manhattan 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manhattan
Disasters that paid out in Manhattan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Manhattan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng58 households applied for aid$82K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$5K to the Village of Manhattan for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Village of Manhattan for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the Village of Manhattan for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Manhattan 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manhattan archive →Get ready for what Manhattan 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
Is Manhattan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #349 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 flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Manhattan since 1982, $23K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Manhattan 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manhattan’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?
By FEMA money that reached Manhattan, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 58 households applied for aid, $82K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Manhattan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Manhattan’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manhattan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manhattan’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.