On FEMA’s figures, Riverton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #249 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1993.
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 Riverton 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 Riverton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Riverton, and Riverton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #249 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Riverton’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, Riverton has less expected damage per building than 68% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Riverton: $942K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Riverton flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Riverton, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $2K
Riverton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sangamon County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Riverton
Disasters that paid out in Riverton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Riverton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$58K to the Village of Riverton for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Village of Riverton for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$71K to the Village of Riverton for repairs
- 2006Tornadoes and Severe Storms28 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$116K to the Village of Riverton for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$21K to the Village of Riverton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the Village of Riverton for repairs
Sangamon 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 Riverton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Riverton archive →Riverton and its neighbors
Riverton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverton | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Spaulding | — | 879 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 Riverton 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 Riverton
Is Riverton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverton has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #249 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Riverton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Riverton since 1993, $101K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Riverton 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 Sangamon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Riverton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Riverton’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 Riverton?
By FEMA money that reached Riverton, Tornadoes and Severe Storms (2006): 28 households applied for aid, $16K approved, and $116K to the Village of Riverton for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Riverton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Riverton’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Riverton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Riverton’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.