FEMA puts Otto Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Otto Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 63 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 Otto 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
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 Otto Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Otto Township, and Otto Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Otto Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Otto Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Otto Township flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Otto Township, from FEMA’s records: 80.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $4K
Otto 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: Kankakee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Otto Township
Disasters that paid out in Otto Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Otto Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to Otto Township for repairs
Kankakee County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Otto Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Otto Township archive →Otto Township and its neighbors
Otto Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chebanse Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Limestone Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Otto Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Pilot Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Aroma Township | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
| Kankakee Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Otto 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.
- 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 Otto Township
Is Otto Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Otto Township has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Otto Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in Otto Township since 1979, $2.1M in all, or 80.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Otto 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 Kankakee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Otto Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Otto 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 Otto Township?
By FEMA money that reached Otto Township, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $5K to Otto Township for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Otto Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Otto Township’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Otto Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Otto 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.