Eli Ulery House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Mount Zion Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Zion Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #515 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Mount Zion 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
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 Zion Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Zion Township, and Mount Zion Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #515 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mount Zion Township’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, Mount Zion Township has more expected damage per building than 67% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Mount Zion Township: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Zion Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Zion Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $27K
Mount Zion 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: Macon County.The storms Mount Zion Township remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Macon County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Mount Zion Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20085 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19791 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Macon County
- 19831 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Macon County has had 8 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 Zion Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Zion Township archive →Mount Zion Township and its neighbors
Mount Zion Township is 3rd of the 4 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 Macon Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Long Creek Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Mount Zion Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| South Wheatland Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dora Township | — | 883 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Penn Township | — | 39 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 Zion 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.
- 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 Zion Township
Is Mount Zion Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Zion Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #515 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Mount Zion Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Mount Zion Township since 1979, $224K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Mount Zion 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 Macon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Zion Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Zion 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 Zion Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Mount Zion Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Mount Zion Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Zion Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Zion 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.