Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Momence than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Momence gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #753 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 34 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 Momence 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
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 Momence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Momence, and Momence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #753 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Momence’s residents live in 2 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, Momence has more expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Momence: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Momence flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Momence, from FEMA’s records: 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike4 claims · $89K
Momence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kankakee County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Momence
Disasters that paid out in Momence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Momence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Tornadoes44 households applied for aid$79K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$5K to the City of Momence for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to the City of Momence for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Kankakee County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Momence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Momence archive →Get ready for what Momence 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.
- 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 Momence
Is Momence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Momence has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #753 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Momence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Momence since 1979, $250K in all, or 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (4).
Is Momence 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 Kankakee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Momence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Momence’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 Momence?
By FEMA money that reached Momence, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2004): 44 households applied for aid, $79K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 4 paid, $89K.
Is Momence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Momence’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Momence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Momence’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.