Photo: Robert Haugland · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Port Byron’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Byron gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Port Byron 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 Port Byron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Byron, and Port Byron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Byron’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $737K a year in losses across Port Byron: $415K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Byron flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Byron, from FEMA’s records: 26.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $11K
Port Byron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rock Island County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Byron
Disasters that paid out in Port Byron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Port Byron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$62K to the Village of Port Byron for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Village of Port Byron for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$38K to the Village of Port Byron for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Flooding$56K to the Village of Port Byron for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Rock Island County has had 12 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 Port Byron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Byron archive →Port Byron and its neighbors
Port Byron is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coe Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Port Byron | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Port Byron Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rapids City | — | 980 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 Port Byron 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 Port Byron
Is Port Byron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Byron has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Byron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Port Byron since 1979, $145K in all, or 26.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Port Byron 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 Rock Island County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Byron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Byron’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 Port Byron?
By FEMA money that reached Port Byron, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $62K to the Village of Port Byron for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $11K.
Is Port Byron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Port Byron’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Byron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Byron’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.