Photo: Matt Turner · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Petersburg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Petersburg gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Petersburg 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 Petersburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Petersburg, and Petersburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Petersburg’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Petersburg: $788K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Petersburg flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Petersburg, from FEMA’s records: 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Petersburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Menard County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Petersburg
Disasters that paid out in Petersburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Petersburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the City of Petersburg for repairs
- 2006Snow$7K to the City of Petersburg for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$36K to the City of Petersburg for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the City of Petersburg for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the City of Petersburg for repairs
Menard County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Petersburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Petersburg archive →Get ready for what Petersburg 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 Petersburg
Is Petersburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Petersburg has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Petersburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Petersburg since 1979, $30K in all, or 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Petersburg 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 Menard County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Petersburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Petersburg’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 Petersburg?
By FEMA money that reached Petersburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $36K to the City of Petersburg for repairs.
Is Petersburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Petersburg’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Petersburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Petersburg’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.