Flagg Township Public Library · Photo: Andy McMurray · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Rochelle as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochelle gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #411 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1978.
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 Rochelle 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 Rochelle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rochelle, and Rochelle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #411 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rochelle’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, Rochelle has more expected damage per building than 53% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Rochelle: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rochelle flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rochelle, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Rochelle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ogle County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rochelle
Disasters that paid out in Rochelle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rochelle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$205K to the City of Rochelle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the City of Rochelle for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$17K to the City of Rochelle for repairs
- 2006Snow$29K to the City of Rochelle for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$13K to the City of Rochelle for repairs
Ogle County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rochelle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rochelle archive →Rochelle and its neighbors
Rochelle has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochelle | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Flagg Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Hillcrest | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dement Township | — | 903 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 Rochelle 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 Rochelle
Is Rochelle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochelle has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #411 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rochelle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Rochelle since 1978, $163K in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Rochelle 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rochelle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rochelle’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 Rochelle?
By FEMA money that reached Rochelle, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): $205K to the City of Rochelle for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Rochelle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Rochelle’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rochelle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rochelle’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.