FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Scott AFB than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott AFB gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #664 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
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 Scott AFB 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
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 Scott AFB’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scott AFB, and Scott AFB’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 18% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #664 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scott AFB’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, Scott AFB has more expected damage per building than 86% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Scott AFB: $9.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scott AFB flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scott AFB, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Scott AFB isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Scott AFB
Disasters that paid out in Scott AFB itself (aid to households or repair grants to Scott AFB), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng1 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
St. Clair County has had 16 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 Scott AFB after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scott AFB archive →Scott AFB and its neighbors
Scott AFB is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Shiloh Valley Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Shiloh | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mascoutah | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Scott AFB | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mascoutah Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Scott AFB 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.
- 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 Scott AFB
Is Scott AFB at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott AFB has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #664 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scott AFB flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Scott AFB since 2020, $8K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Scott AFB 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Scott AFB?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scott AFB’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 Scott AFB?
By FEMA money that reached Scott AFB, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 1 households applied for aid, $750 approved.
Is Scott AFB at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Scott AFB’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scott AFB.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scott AFB’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.