Photo: ProfDEH · Public domainFEMA puts Metamora’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Metamora gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #216 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Metamora 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 Metamora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Metamora, and Metamora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #216 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Metamora’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Metamora has less expected damage per building than 72% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Metamora: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Metamora flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Metamora, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $18K
Metamora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Woodford County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Metamora
Disasters that paid out in Metamora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Metamora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Village of Metamora for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$12K to the Village of Metamora for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Village of Metamora for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Metamora for repairs
Woodford County has had 11 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 Metamora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Metamora archive →Get ready for what Metamora 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 Metamora
Is Metamora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Metamora has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #216 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Metamora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Metamora since 1997, $19K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Metamora 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 Woodford County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Metamora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Metamora’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 Metamora?
By FEMA money that reached Metamora, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 30 households applied for aid, $56K approved, and $12K to the Village of Metamora for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $18K.
Is Metamora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Metamora’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Metamora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Metamora’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.