Mercer County Fairgrounds · Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0Mercer Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mercer Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #350 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then strong wind (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Mercer Township 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
Strong wind
Hail
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 Mercer Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mercer Township, and Mercer Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #350 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mercer Township’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, Mercer Township has less expected damage per building than 54% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Mercer Township: $561K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mercer Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mercer Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Mercer Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.The storms Mercer Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Mercer County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Mercer Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Mercer County
Mercer County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mercer Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mercer Township archive →Mercer Township and its neighbors
Mercer Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Greene Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ohio Grove Township | — | 365 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Millersburg Township | — | 588 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Perryton Township | — | 179 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Abington Township | — | 433 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 Mercer Township 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Mercer Township
Is Mercer Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mercer Township has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #350 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and strong wind (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mercer Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mercer Township since 2008, $3K in all, or 0.6 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 Mercer Township 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 Mercer County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mercer Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mercer Township’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 Mercer Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Mercer Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Mercer Township’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mercer Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mercer Township’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.