On FEMA’s figures, Oglesby 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, Oglesby gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #221 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Oglesby 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
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 Oglesby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oglesby, and Oglesby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
B #221 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oglesby’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, Oglesby has less expected damage per building than 71% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Oglesby: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oglesby flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oglesby, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oglesby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Salle County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oglesby
Disasters that paid out in Oglesby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oglesby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$13K to the City of Oglesby for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Oglesby for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2006Snow$11K to the City of Oglesby for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$7K to the City of Oglesby for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to the City of Oglesby for repairs
La Salle County has had 17 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 Oglesby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oglesby archive →Oglesby and its neighbors
Oglesby is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaSalle Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Oglesby | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Deer Park Township | — | 438 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 Oglesby 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.
- 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 Oglesby
Is Oglesby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oglesby has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #221 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oglesby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Oglesby since 1982, $6K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oglesby 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 La Salle County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oglesby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oglesby’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 Oglesby?
By FEMA money that reached Oglesby, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 12 households applied for aid, $45K approved, and $13K to the City of Oglesby for repairs.
Is Oglesby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Oglesby’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oglesby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oglesby’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.