Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Pecatonica faces less hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pecatonica gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Pecatonica 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
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 Pecatonica’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pecatonica, and Pecatonica’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pecatonica’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $928K a year in losses across Pecatonica: $578K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pecatonica flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pecatonica, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pecatonica isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pecatonica
Disasters that paid out in Pecatonica itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pecatonica), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng5 households applied for aid$573 aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$96K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$14K to the Village of Pecatonica for repairs
- 2006Snow$9K to the Village of Pecatonica for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$6K to the Village of Pecatonica for repairs
Winnebago County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pecatonica after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pecatonica archive →Get ready for what Pecatonica 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.
- 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 Pecatonica
Is Pecatonica at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pecatonica has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Pecatonica flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pecatonica since 2010, $39K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pecatonica 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 Winnebago County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pecatonica?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pecatonica’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 Pecatonica?
By FEMA money that reached Pecatonica, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 32 households applied for aid, $96K approved.
Is Pecatonica at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Pecatonica’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pecatonica.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pecatonica’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.