Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Mount Carmel faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Carmel gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #579 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1984.
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 Mount Carmel 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
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 Mount Carmel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Carmel, and Mount Carmel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 39% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #579 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Carmel’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, Mount Carmel has more expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Mount Carmel: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Carmel flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Carmel, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mount Carmel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wabash County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Carmel
Disasters that paid out in Mount Carmel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Carmel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$9K to the City of Mount Carmel for repairs
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$4K to the City of Mount Carmel for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$9K to the City of Mount Carmel for repairs
Wabash County has had 7 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 Mount Carmel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Carmel archive →Mount Carmel and its neighbors
Mount Carmel is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White River Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Mount Carmel | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Mount Carmel 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.
- 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 Mount Carmel
Is Mount Carmel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Carmel has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #579 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Carmel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Mount Carmel since 1984, $30K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Mount Carmel 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 Wabash County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Carmel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Carmel’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 Mount Carmel?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Carmel, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 16 households applied for aid, $126K approved, and $9K to the City of Mount Carmel for repairs.
Is Mount Carmel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Mount Carmel’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Carmel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Carmel’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.