Photo: Teemu08 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Peotone than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peotone gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #594 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 Peotone 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 Peotone’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Peotone, and Peotone’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #594 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Peotone’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, Peotone has more expected damage per building than 77% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Peotone: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Peotone flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Peotone, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Peotone isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Will County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Peotone
Disasters that paid out in Peotone itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Peotone), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng5 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Will County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Peotone after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Peotone archive →Get ready for what Peotone 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 Peotone
Is Peotone at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peotone has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #594 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Peotone flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Peotone since 2004, $2K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Peotone 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Peotone?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Peotone’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 Peotone?
By FEMA money that reached Peotone, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 6 households applied for aid, $30K approved.
Is Peotone at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Peotone’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Peotone.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Peotone’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.