FEMA puts Rochester’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochester gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #467 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Rochester 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 Rochester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rochester, and Rochester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #467 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rochester’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, Rochester has more expected damage per building than 61% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Rochester: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rochester flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rochester, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rochester 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rochester
Disasters that paid out in Rochester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Rochester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Rochester for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$19K to the Village of Rochester for repairs
- 2006Tornadoes and Severe Storms10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$4K to the Village of Rochester for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$5K to the Village of Rochester for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to the Village of Rochester 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 Rochester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rochester archive →Get ready for what Rochester 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 Rochester
Is Rochester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochester has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #467 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rochester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Rochester since 1979, $27K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rochester 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 Rochester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rochester’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 Rochester?
By FEMA money that reached Rochester, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $19K to the Village of Rochester for repairs.
Is Rochester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Rochester’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rochester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rochester’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.