FEMA puts Rosewood Heights’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosewood Heights gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #508 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Rosewood Heights 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
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 Rosewood Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rosewood Heights, and Rosewood Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 26% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C #508 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rosewood Heights’ 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, Rosewood Heights has more expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Rosewood Heights: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rosewood Heights flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rosewood Heights, from FEMA’s records: 20.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $13K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $6K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $30K
Rosewood Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.The storms Rosewood Heights remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Madison County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Rosewood Heights itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 197918 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Madison County
- 19784 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19823 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Madison County
Madison County has had 13 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 Rosewood Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rosewood Heights archive →Rosewood Heights and its neighbors
Rosewood Heights is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethalto | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Rosewood Heights | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| East Alton | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wood River | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Rosewood Heights 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.
- 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 Rosewood Heights
Is Rosewood Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosewood Heights has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #508 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rosewood Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Rosewood Heights since 1978, $158K in all, or 20.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Rosewood Heights 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 Madison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rosewood Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rosewood Heights’ 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 Rosewood Heights?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $13K.
Is Rosewood Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Rosewood Heights’ rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rosewood Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rosewood Heights’ 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.