Photo: User:Visviva · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Patton Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patton Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #93 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (17%). 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 Patton 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 Patton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Patton Township, and Patton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #93 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Patton 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, Patton Township has less expected damage per building than 88% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Patton Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Patton Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Patton Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Patton 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: Ford County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Patton Township
Disasters that paid out in Patton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Patton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to Patton Township for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$4K to Patton Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to Patton Township for repairs
Ford County has had 5 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 Patton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Patton Township archive →Patton Township and its neighbors
Patton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patton Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Ludlow Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Button Township | — | 139 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wall Township | — | 262 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dix Township | — | 588 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 Patton 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 Patton Township
Is Patton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patton Township has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #93 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Patton 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 Ford County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Patton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Patton 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 Patton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Patton Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $5K to Patton Township for repairs.
Is Patton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Patton Township’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Patton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Patton 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.