Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Peru faces less hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peru gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #97 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1979.
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 Peru’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Peru 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
Earthquakes
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 Peru’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Peru, and Peru’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #97 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Peru’s residents live in 5 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, Peru has less expected damage per building than 87% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Peru: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Peru flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Peru, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms7 claims · $603K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $44K
Peru isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Salle County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Peru
Disasters that paid out in Peru itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Peru), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$422K to the City of Peru for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the City of Peru for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$54K to the City of Peru for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$77K to the City of Peru for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$27K to the City of Peru for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$15K to the City of Peru for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$8K to the City of Peru for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$12K to the City of Peru for repairs
La Salle County has had 17 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 Peru after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Peru archive →Peru and its neighbors
Peru is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaSalle | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| LaSalle Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Peru | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Peru Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Dalzell | — | 736 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dimmick Township | — | 712 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Peru 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Peru
Is Peru at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peru has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #97 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Peru flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Peru since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (7).
Is Peru 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 La Salle County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Peru?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Peru’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 Peru?
By FEMA money that reached Peru, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 37 households applied for aid, $49K approved, and $422K to the City of Peru for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 7 paid, $603K.
Is Peru at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Peru’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Peru.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Peru’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.