FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Piasa Township than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piasa Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #518 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1982.
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 Piasa Township 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
Earthquakes
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 Piasa Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Piasa Township, and Piasa Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #518 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Piasa Township’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, Piasa Township has more expected damage per building than 67% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Piasa Township: $511K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Piasa Township flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Piasa Township, from FEMA’s records: 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $103K
Piasa Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jersey County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Piasa Township
Disasters that paid out in Piasa Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Piasa Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$14K to Piasa Township for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Jersey County has had 17 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 Piasa Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Piasa Township archive →Piasa Township and its neighbors
Piasa Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godfrey | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Brighton Township | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Piasa Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Mississippi Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fidelity Township | — | 705 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 Piasa Township 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Piasa Township
Is Piasa Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piasa Township has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #518 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Piasa Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Piasa Township since 1982, $333K in all, or 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (5).
Is Piasa Township 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 Jersey County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Piasa Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Piasa Township’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 Piasa Township?
By FEMA money that reached Piasa Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $14K to Piasa Township for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $103K.
Is Piasa Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Piasa Township’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Piasa Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Piasa Township’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.