Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Metropolis than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Metropolis gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #764 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 55 claims here since 1979.
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 Metropolis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Metropolis 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 Metropolis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Metropolis, and Metropolis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 37%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #764 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Metropolis’ residents live in 4 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, Metropolis has more expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Metropolis: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Metropolis flood? Sometimes: 55 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Metropolis, from FEMA’s records: 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms28 claims · $1.0M
Metropolis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Massac County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Metropolis
Disasters that paid out in Metropolis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Metropolis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding283 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$125K to the City of Metropolis for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$1.3M to the City of Metropolis for repairs
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$7K to the City of Metropolis for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding42 households applied for aid$98K aid approved
Massac County has had 9 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 Metropolis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Metropolis archive →Get ready for what Metropolis 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.
- Metropolis residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Metropolis
Is Metropolis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Metropolis has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #764 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Metropolis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 55 claims in Metropolis since 1979, $1.8M in all, or 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (28).
Is Metropolis 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 Massac County, 2.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Metropolis?
Metropolis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Metropolis?
By FEMA money that reached Metropolis, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 283 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $125K to the City of Metropolis for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 28 paid, $1.0M.
Is Metropolis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Metropolis’ rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Metropolis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Metropolis’ 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.