Photo: Kepper66 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Milan faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milan gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #451 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 Milan 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
Hail
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 Milan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milan, and Milan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #451 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milan’s 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, Milan has more expected damage per building than 59% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Milan: $861K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milan flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milan, from FEMA’s records: 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding4 claims · $74K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
Milan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rock Island County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milan
Disasters that paid out in Milan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Milan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$81K to the Village of Milan for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$50K to the Village of Milan for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Village of Milan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$45K to the Village of Milan for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$30K to the Village of Milan for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Rock Island County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Milan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milan archive →Milan and its neighbors
Milan is 5th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Moline Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 715 |
| Moline | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 239 |
| South Rock Island Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Blackhawk Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 201 |
| Milan | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Rock Island | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Coyne Center | — | 904 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oak Grove | — | 277 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 Milan 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.
- 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.
- 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 Milan
Is Milan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milan has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #451 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Milan since 1979, $368K in all, or 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Milan 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 Rock Island County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milan’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 Milan?
By FEMA money that reached Milan, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 65 households applied for aid, $57K approved, and $45K to the Village of Milan for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $74K.
Is Milan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Milan’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milan’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.