Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Paris than in 72% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #130 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Paris 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
Hail
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 Paris’ grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paris, and Paris’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 26% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #130 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paris’ 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, Paris has less expected damage per building than 83% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Paris: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paris flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paris, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Paris isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Edgar County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paris
Disasters that paid out in Paris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Paris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$177K to the City of Paris for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the City of Paris for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding135 households applied for aid$304K aid approved$88K to the City of Paris for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Edgar 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 Paris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paris archive →Paris and its neighbors
Paris 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Paris 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 Paris 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.
- 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.
- 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 Paris
Is Paris at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #130 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Paris since 2008, $5K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Paris 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 Edgar County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paris’ 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 Paris?
By FEMA money that reached Paris, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 135 households applied for aid, $304K approved, and $88K to the City of Paris for repairs.
Is Paris at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Paris’ rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paris’ 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.