Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Murphysboro Township faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphysboro Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #739 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1983.
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 Murphysboro 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
Earthquakes
Strong wind
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 Murphysboro Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murphysboro Township, and Murphysboro Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #739 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Murphysboro Township’s residents live in 9 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, Murphysboro Township has more expected damage per building than 96% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Murphysboro Township: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Murphysboro Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Murphysboro Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $11K
Murphysboro 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: Jackson County.The storms Murphysboro Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Jackson County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Murphysboro Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19831 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Jackson County
- 19851 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Jackson County
Jackson County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Murphysboro Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murphysboro Township archive →Murphysboro Township and its neighbors
Murphysboro Township is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Somerset Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Murphysboro Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Sand Ridge Township | — | 924 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Carbondale Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Pomona Township | — | 723 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 Murphysboro 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Murphysboro Township
Is Murphysboro Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphysboro Township has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #739 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Murphysboro Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Murphysboro Township since 1983, $33K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Murphysboro 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 Jackson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Murphysboro Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Murphysboro 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 Murphysboro Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Murphysboro Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Murphysboro Township’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murphysboro Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murphysboro 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.