Pleasant Home · Photo: George Maher architect, photographer unknown · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Palmyra Township faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #550 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1978.
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 Palmyra 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
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 Palmyra Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmyra Township, and Palmyra Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #550 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmyra Township’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, Palmyra Township has more expected damage per building than 72% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Palmyra Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palmyra Township flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palmyra Township, from FEMA’s records: 30.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $9K
Palmyra 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: Lee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Palmyra Township
Disasters that paid out in Palmyra Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Palmyra Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to Palmyra Township for repairs
Lee County has had 7 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 Palmyra Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmyra Township archive →Palmyra Township and its neighbors
Palmyra Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmyra Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Nelson Township | — | 644 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Woosung Township | — | 546 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sterling Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Dixon Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Jordan Township | — | 838 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 Palmyra 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.
- 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 Palmyra Township
Is Palmyra Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra Township has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #550 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palmyra Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Palmyra Township since 1978, $217K in all, or 30.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Palmyra 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 Lee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Palmyra Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palmyra 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 Palmyra Township?
By FEMA money that reached Palmyra Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $12K to Palmyra Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Palmyra Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Palmyra Township’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmyra Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmyra 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.