Illinois Waterway Project Office · Photo: Grogan, Brian · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Peoria faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peoria gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #145 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 345 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 Peoria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Peoria 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 Peoria’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Peoria, and Peoria’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #145 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Peoria’s residents live in 38 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, Peoria has less expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Peoria has lower expected damage per building than 80% (#81 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $48.9M, is the 248th largest of those 400.
Does Peoria flood? Yes: 345 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Peoria, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms15 claims · $400K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $29K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $5K
Peoria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Peoria County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Peoria
Disasters that paid out in Peoria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Peoria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,654 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$509K to the City of Peoria for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2K to the City of Peoria for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1,428 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$7K to the City of Peoria for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$68K to the City of Peoria for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$199K to the City of Peoria for repairs
Peoria County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Peoria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Peoria archive →Peoria and its neighbors
Peoria is 4th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creve Coeur | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Limestone Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Kickapoo Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Peoria | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
| Peoria City Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 222 |
| Richwoods Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 291 |
| Peoria Heights | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 330 |
| West Peoria | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Medina Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Fondulac Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Spring Bay Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 393 |
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 Peoria 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 Peoria
Is Peoria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peoria has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #145 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Peoria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 345 claims in Peoria since 1978, $3.1M in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 32 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (15).
Is Peoria 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 Peoria County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Peoria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Peoria’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 Peoria?
By FEMA money that reached Peoria, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 1,654 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $509K to the City of Peoria for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 15 paid, $400K.
Is Peoria at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Peoria’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Peoria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Peoria’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.