Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Murphysboro than in 89% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphysboro 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 (48%), then earthquakes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murphysboro, and Murphysboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% 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’s residents live in 5 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 has more expected damage per building than 96% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Murphysboro: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Murphysboro flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Murphysboro, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $43K
Murphysboro 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Murphysboro
Disasters that paid out in Murphysboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Murphysboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding68 households applied for aid$354K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murphysboro archive →Get ready for what Murphysboro 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
Is Murphysboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphysboro 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 (48%) and earthquakes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Murphysboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Murphysboro since 1983, $78K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Murphysboro 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Murphysboro’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?
By FEMA money that reached Murphysboro, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 68 households applied for aid, $354K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $43K.
Is Murphysboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Murphysboro’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murphysboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murphysboro’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.