FEMA puts Roscoe’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roscoe gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #502 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 stands out about Roscoe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roscoe 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
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 Roscoe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roscoe, and Roscoe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #502 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roscoe’s residents live in 7 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, Roscoe has more expected damage per building than 65% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Roscoe: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roscoe flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roscoe, from FEMA’s records: 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $22K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Roscoe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roscoe
Disasters that paid out in Roscoe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Roscoe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng11 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Village of Roscoe for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$18K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$106K to the Village of Roscoe for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the Village of Roscoe for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$503 aid approved
- 2006Snow$13K to the Village of Roscoe for repairs
Winnebago County has had 16 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 Roscoe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roscoe archive →Roscoe and its neighbors
Roscoe is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roscoe Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Rockton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Roscoe | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Rockton Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Harlem Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 488 |
| South Beloit | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Machesney Park | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 378 |
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 Roscoe 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.
- 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 Roscoe
Is Roscoe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roscoe has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #502 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roscoe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Roscoe since 1978, $246K in all, or 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Roscoe 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 Winnebago County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roscoe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roscoe’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 Roscoe?
By FEMA money that reached Roscoe, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 29 households applied for aid, $137K approved, and $106K to the Village of Roscoe for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Roscoe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Roscoe’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roscoe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roscoe’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.