Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Red Bud than in 75% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bud gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #592 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (39%), then river and rain flooding (36%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Red Bud faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
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 Red Bud’s grade
Earthquakes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Bud, and Red Bud’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #592 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Red Bud’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Red Bud has more expected damage per building than 77% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Red Bud: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Bud flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Red Bud. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Red Bud isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Randolph County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Red Bud
Disasters that paid out in Red Bud itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Bud), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Randolph County has had 14 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 Red Bud after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Bud archive →Get ready for what Red Bud faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Red Bud
Is Red Bud at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bud has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #592 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (39%) and river and rain flooding (36%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Red Bud 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 Randolph County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Bud?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Bud’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 Red Bud?
By FEMA money that reached Red Bud, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 2 households applied for aid, $9K approved.
Is Red Bud at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Red Bud’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Bud.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Bud’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.