Photo: NatFee · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Marquette Heights 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, Marquette Heights gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Marquette Heights 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 Marquette Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marquette Heights, and Marquette Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Marquette Heights’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $904K a year in losses across Marquette Heights: $521K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marquette Heights flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marquette Heights, from FEMA’s records: 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $112K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $11K
Marquette Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tazewell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marquette Heights
Disasters that paid out in Marquette Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marquette Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the City of Marquette Heights for repairs
- 2006Snow$7K to the City of Marquette Heights for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the City of Marquette Heights for repairs
Tazewell County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marquette Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marquette Heights archive →Marquette Heights and its neighbors
Marquette Heights is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creve Coeur | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Marquette Heights | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| North Pekin | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Pekin | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 Marquette Heights 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 Marquette Heights
Is Marquette Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marquette Heights has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marquette Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Marquette Heights since 1979, $406K in all, or 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Marquette Heights 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 Tazewell County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marquette Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marquette Heights’ 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 Marquette Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Marquette Heights, Snow (2006): $7K to the City of Marquette Heights for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $112K.
Is Marquette Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Marquette Heights’ rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marquette Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marquette Heights’ 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.