Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Rock Island faces more hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rock Island gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #469 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 stands out about Rock Island’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rock Island 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 Rock Island’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rock Island, and Rock Island’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #469 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rock Island’s residents live in 15 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, Rock Island has more expected damage per building than 61% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.8M a year in losses across Rock Island: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rock Island flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rock Island, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding7 claims · $44K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $15K
Rock Island isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rock Island County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rock Island
Disasters that paid out in Rock Island itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rock Island), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$1.9M to the City of Rock Island for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding56 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$36K to the City of Rock Island for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to the City of Rock Island for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding145 households applied for aid$114K aid approved$276K to the City of Rock Island for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$296K to the City of Rock Island for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Rock Island County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rock Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rock Island archive →Rock Island and its neighbors
Rock Island is 6th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Moline Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 715 |
| Moline | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 239 |
| Moline Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| South Rock Island Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Milan | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Rock Island | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Rock Island Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Rock Island Arsenal | — | 470 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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island
Is Rock Island at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rock Island has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #469 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rock Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Rock Island since 1979, $592K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (7).
Is Rock Island 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 Rock Island County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rock Island?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rock Island’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 Rock Island?
By FEMA money that reached Rock Island, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $1.9M to the City of Rock Island for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 7 paid, $44K.
Is Rock Island at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Rock Island’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rock Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rock Island’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.