Photo: Kepper66 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Moline faces less hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moline gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #124 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 239 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 Moline’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moline 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 Moline’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moline, and Moline’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #124 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moline’s residents live in 17 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, Moline has less expected damage per building than 84% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.1M a year in losses across Moline: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moline flood? Yes: 239 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moline, from FEMA’s records: 12.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding20 claims · $598K
- The Mid-spring storms14 claims · $194K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $5K
Moline is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Rock Island County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moline
Disasters that paid out in Moline itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moline), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$508K to the City of Moline for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding84 households applied for aid$128K aid approved$158K to the City of Moline for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$86K to the City of Moline for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding89 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$651K to the City of Moline for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$626K to the City of Moline for repairs16 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 Moline after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moline archive →Moline and its neighbors
Moline is 2nd of the 9 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 |
| Moline Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| South Rock Island Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| East Moline | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 155 |
| Milan | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Rock Island | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Coal Valley | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Rock Island Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Rock Island Arsenal | — | 470 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Coal Valley Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Moline 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.
- Moline 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 Moline
Is Moline at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moline has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #124 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moline flood?
Flood insurance has paid 239 claims in Moline since 1979, $4.2M in all, or 12.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (20).
Is Moline 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 Moline?
Moline 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 Moline?
By FEMA money that reached Moline, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 89 households applied for aid, $76K approved, and $651K to the City of Moline for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 20 paid, $598K.
Is Moline at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Moline’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moline.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moline’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.