On FEMA’s figures, Onarga Township faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onarga Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). 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 Onarga 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 Onarga Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Onarga Township, and Onarga Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Onarga Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Onarga Township: $828K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Onarga Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Onarga Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Onarga 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: Iroquois County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Onarga Township
Disasters that paid out in Onarga Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Onarga Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to Onarga Township for repairs
Iroquois County has had 6 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 Onarga Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Onarga Township archive →Onarga Township and its neighbors
Onarga Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onarga Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Douglas Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Crescent Township | — | 482 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Artesia Township | — | 746 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ridgeland Township | — | 455 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 Onarga 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 Onarga Township
Is Onarga Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onarga Township has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Onarga 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 Iroquois County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Onarga Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Onarga 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 Onarga Township?
By FEMA money that reached Onarga Township, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $5K to Onarga Township for repairs.
Is Onarga Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Onarga Township’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Onarga Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Onarga 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.