Photo: Dual Freq · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Monticello than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monticello gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #609 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1993.
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 Monticello 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
Earthquakes
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 Monticello’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monticello, and Monticello’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #609 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Monticello’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Monticello has more expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Monticello: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monticello flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monticello, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $2K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $7K
Monticello isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Piatt County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Monticello
Disasters that paid out in Monticello itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monticello), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$9K to the City of Monticello for repairs
Piatt County has had 6 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 Monticello after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monticello archive →Get ready for what Monticello 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Monticello
Is Monticello at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monticello has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #609 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (9%). 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 Monticello flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Monticello since 1993, $64K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Monticello 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 Piatt County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monticello?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monticello’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 Monticello?
By FEMA money that reached Monticello, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $9K to the City of Monticello for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $2K.
Is Monticello at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Monticello’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monticello.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monticello’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.