Photo: Dual Freq · CC BY 2.5More hazard damage per building is expected in Sangamon Township than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sangamon Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #667 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
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 Sangamon Township 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 Sangamon Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sangamon Township, and Sangamon Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #667 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sangamon Township’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, Sangamon Township has more expected damage per building than 87% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Sangamon Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sangamon Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sangamon Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $12K
Sangamon Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Piatt County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sangamon Township
Disasters that paid out in Sangamon Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sangamon Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to Sangamon Township for repairs
Piatt County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sangamon Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sangamon Township archive →Sangamon Township and its neighbors
Sangamon Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangamon Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Blue Ridge Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mahomet Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Scott Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Monticello Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Goose Creek Township | — | 745 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 Sangamon Township 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 Sangamon Township
Is Sangamon Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sangamon Township has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #667 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sangamon Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Sangamon Township since 2008, $236K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Sangamon Township 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 Piatt County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sangamon Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sangamon Township’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 Sangamon Township?
By FEMA money that reached Sangamon Township, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $2K to Sangamon Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Sangamon Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Sangamon Township’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sangamon Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sangamon Township’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.