FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pawnee than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pawnee gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #506 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 38 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 stands out about Pawnee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pawnee 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
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 Pawnee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pawnee, and Pawnee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #506 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pawnee’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Pawnee has more expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Pawnee: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pawnee flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pawnee, from FEMA’s records: 30.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pawnee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sangamon County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pawnee
Disasters that paid out in Pawnee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pawnee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Pawnee for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$18K to the Village of Pawnee for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Pawnee for repairs
Sangamon County has had 9 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 Pawnee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pawnee archive →Get ready for what Pawnee 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.
- 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 Pawnee
Is Pawnee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pawnee has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #506 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (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 Pawnee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Pawnee since 1978, $552K in all, or 30.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Pawnee 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 Sangamon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pawnee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pawnee’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 Pawnee?
By FEMA money that reached Pawnee, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $18K to the Village of Pawnee for repairs.
Is Pawnee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Pawnee’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pawnee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pawnee’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.