Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Mattoon faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mattoon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #536 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1980.
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 Mattoon 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
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 Mattoon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mattoon, and Mattoon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #536 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mattoon’s residents live in 6 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, Mattoon has more expected damage per building than 70% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across Mattoon: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mattoon flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mattoon, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mattoon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coles County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mattoon
Disasters that paid out in Mattoon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mattoon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$67K to the City of Mattoon for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Mattoon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$42K to the City of Mattoon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Coles County has had 6 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 Mattoon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mattoon archive →Mattoon and its neighbors
Mattoon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattoon | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Charleston | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Lafayette Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Humboldt Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mattoon 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 Mattoon 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.
- 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 Mattoon
Is Mattoon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mattoon has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #536 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mattoon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Mattoon since 1980, $184K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mattoon 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 Coles County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mattoon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mattoon’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 Mattoon?
By FEMA money that reached Mattoon, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $67K to the City of Mattoon for repairs.
Is Mattoon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Mattoon’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mattoon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mattoon’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.