Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, McLeansboro faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLeansboro gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #578 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (49%), then river and rain flooding (35%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 McLeansboro faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 McLeansboro’s grade
Earthquakes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in McLeansboro, and McLeansboro’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #578 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McLeansboro’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, McLeansboro has more expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across McLeansboro: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McLeansboro flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in McLeansboro. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to McLeansboro
Disasters that paid out in McLeansboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McLeansboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$4K to the City of McLeansboro for repairs
Hamilton County has had 7 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 McLeansboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McLeansboro archive →Get ready for what McLeansboro faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 McLeansboro
Is McLeansboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLeansboro has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #578 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (49%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is McLeansboro 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.
How much is flood insurance in McLeansboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McLeansboro’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 McLeansboro?
By FEMA money that reached McLeansboro, Record/near Record Snow (2004): $4K to the City of McLeansboro for repairs.
Is McLeansboro at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and McLeansboro’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McLeansboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McLeansboro’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.