On FEMA’s figures, Newell Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newell Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #290 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1994.
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 Newell 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 Newell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newell Township, and Newell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #290 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newell Township’s residents live in 6 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, Newell Township has less expected damage per building than 62% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Newell Township: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newell Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newell Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $692
Newell 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: Vermilion County.The storms Newell Township remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Vermilion County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Newell Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19943 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Vermilion County
- 20182 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Vermilion County
Vermilion County has had 9 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 Newell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newell Township archive →Newell Township and its neighbors
Newell Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Newell Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Highland Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Blount Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Ross Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Danville Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Kent Township | — | 453 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mound Township | — | 321 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Steuben Township | — | 691 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 Newell 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 Newell Township
Is Newell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newell Township has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #290 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Newell Township since 1994, $73K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Newell 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 Vermilion County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newell 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 Newell Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $692.
Is Newell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Newell Township’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newell 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.