Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Olney as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olney gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #397 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then earthquakes (42%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Olney 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
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 Olney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Olney, and Olney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 42% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #397 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Olney’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, Olney has more expected damage per building than 52% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Olney: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Olney flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Olney. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Olney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Richland County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Olney
Disasters that paid out in Olney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Olney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$7K to the City of Olney for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$23K to the City of Olney for repairs
Richland County has had 5 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 Olney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olney archive →Get ready for what Olney 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.
- 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 Olney
Is Olney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olney has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #397 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Olney 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 Richland County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Olney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Olney’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 Olney?
By FEMA money that reached Olney, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $23K to the City of Olney for repairs.
Is Olney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Olney’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olney’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.