Less hazard damage per building is expected in Mendota than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mendota gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #17 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Mendota’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mendota 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
Earthquakes
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 Mendota’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mendota, and Mendota’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A #17 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mendota’s residents live in 3 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, Mendota has less expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Mendota: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mendota flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mendota, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike6 claims · $28K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $7K
Mendota isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Salle County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mendota
Disasters that paid out in Mendota itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mendota), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$62K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding53 households applied for aid$106K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$8K to the City of Mendota for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$6K to the City of Mendota for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$8K to the City of Mendota for repairs
La Salle County has had 17 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 Mendota after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mendota archive →Mendota and its neighbors
Mendota has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mendota | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Mendota Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Meriden Township | — | 344 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Mendota 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Mendota
Is Mendota at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mendota has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #17 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mendota flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Mendota since 1978, $141K in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (6).
Is Mendota 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 La Salle County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mendota?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mendota’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 Mendota?
By FEMA money that reached Mendota, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 53 households applied for aid, $106K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 6 paid, $28K.
Is Mendota at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Mendota’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mendota.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mendota’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.