Photo: Dual Freq · CC BY 2.5FEMA puts Milford’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2015.
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 Milford 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 Milford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milford, and Milford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Milford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Milford: $840K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milford flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milford, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $16K
Milford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iroquois County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milford
Disasters that paid out in Milford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Milford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the Village of Milford for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the Village of Milford for repairs
Iroquois County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Milford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milford archive →Get ready for what Milford 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 Milford
Is Milford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Milford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Milford since 2015, $140K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Milford 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 Iroquois County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milford’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 Milford?
By FEMA money that reached Milford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 19 households applied for aid, $60K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Milford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Milford’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milford’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.