More hazard damage per building is expected in Saratoga Township than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #620 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Saratoga 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 Saratoga Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saratoga Township, and Saratoga 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 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #620 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saratoga Township’s residents live in 4 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, Saratoga Township has more expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Saratoga Township: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saratoga Township flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saratoga Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $6K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $10K
Saratoga 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: Grundy County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saratoga Township
Disasters that paid out in Saratoga Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Saratoga Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$3K to Saratoga Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to Saratoga Township for repairs
Grundy County has had 12 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 Saratoga Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saratoga Township archive →Saratoga Township and its neighbors
Saratoga Township is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aux Sable Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Saratoga Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Morris Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Nettle Creek Township | — | 805 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lisbon Township | — | 780 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 Saratoga 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 Saratoga Township
Is Saratoga Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga Township has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #620 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saratoga Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Saratoga Township since 1979, $156K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Saratoga 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 Grundy County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Saratoga Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saratoga 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 Saratoga Township?
By FEMA money that reached Saratoga Township, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $6K to Saratoga Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Saratoga Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Saratoga Township’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saratoga Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saratoga 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.