St. Louis, Peoria and Northern Railroad Depot · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Pekin faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pekin gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #356 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1980.
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 Pekin 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
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 Pekin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pekin, and Pekin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #356 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pekin’s residents live in 12 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, Pekin has less expected damage per building than 54% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.8M a year in losses across Pekin: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pekin flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pekin, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $737
Pekin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tazewell County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pekin
Disasters that paid out in Pekin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pekin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes107 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$125K to the City of Pekin for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the City of Pekin for repairs
- 2006Snow$68K to the City of Pekin for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$40K to the City of Pekin for repairs
Tazewell County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pekin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pekin archive →Pekin and its neighbors
Pekin is 7th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elm Grove Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Cincinnati Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Groveland Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Hollis Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marquette Heights | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| North Pekin | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Pekin | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Pekin 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 Pekin 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.
- 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 Pekin
Is Pekin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pekin has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #356 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pekin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Pekin since 1980, $126K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Pekin 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 Tazewell County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pekin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pekin’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 Pekin?
By FEMA money that reached Pekin, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 19 households applied for aid, $18K approved, and $125K to the City of Pekin for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $737.
Is Pekin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Pekin’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pekin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pekin’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.