Photo: Adam Moss from Macomb, IL, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0For strong wind, Mount Sterling Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Sterling Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #195 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1982.
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 Mount Sterling Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mount Sterling Township 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
Strong wind
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 Mount Sterling Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Sterling Township, and Mount Sterling Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #195 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Sterling Township’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, Mount Sterling Township has less expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Mount Sterling Township: $439K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Sterling Township flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Sterling Township, from FEMA’s records: 23.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $113K
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $18K
Mount Sterling Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brown County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mount Sterling Township
Disasters that paid out in Mount Sterling Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mount Sterling Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to Mount Sterling Township for repairs
Brown County has had 13 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 Mount Sterling Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Sterling Township archive →Mount Sterling Township and its neighbors
Mount Sterling Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Sterling Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lee Township | — | 312 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Elkhorn Township | — | 213 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Missouri Township | — | 324 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cooperstown Township | — | 184 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Sterling Township 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Mount Sterling Township
Is Mount Sterling Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Sterling Township has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #195 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Sterling Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Mount Sterling Township since 1982, $304K in all, or 23.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Mount Sterling Township 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 Brown County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Sterling Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Sterling Township’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 Sterling Township?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Sterling Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $3K to Mount Sterling Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $113K.
Is Mount Sterling Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Mount Sterling Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Sterling Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Sterling Township’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.