Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Robinson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robinson gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #537 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2001.
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 Robinson 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
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 Robinson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Robinson, and Robinson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #537 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Robinson’s residents live in 3 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, Robinson has more expected damage per building than 70% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Robinson: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Robinson flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Robinson, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Robinson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Robinson
Disasters that paid out in Robinson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Robinson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
Crawford County has had 6 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 Robinson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Robinson archive →Get ready for what Robinson 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.
- 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 Robinson
Is Robinson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robinson has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #537 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Robinson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Robinson since 2001, $17K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Robinson 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 Crawford County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Robinson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Robinson’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 Robinson?
By FEMA money that reached Robinson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 7 households applied for aid, $37K approved.
Is Robinson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Robinson’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Robinson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Robinson’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.