Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Oquawka than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oquawka gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 53 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Oquawka’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oquawka 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Oquawka’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oquawka, and Oquawka’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Oquawka’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $756K a year in losses across Oquawka: $457K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oquawka flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oquawka, from FEMA’s records: 77.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $169K
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $75K
Oquawka isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henderson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oquawka
Disasters that paid out in Oquawka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Oquawka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Village of Oquawka for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$23K to the Village of Oquawka for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Village of Oquawka for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$76K to the Village of Oquawka for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$220K to the Village of Oquawka for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Henderson County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Oquawka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oquawka archive →Oquawka and its neighbors
Oquawka 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oquawka Township | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oquawka | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
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 Oquawka 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- 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 Oquawka
Is Oquawka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oquawka has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hail (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oquawka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Oquawka since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 77.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (6).
Is Oquawka 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 Henderson County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oquawka?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oquawka’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 Oquawka?
By FEMA money that reached Oquawka, Flooding (2001): $220K to the Village of Oquawka for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 6 paid, $169K.
Is Oquawka at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Oquawka’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oquawka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oquawka’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.