FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sheldon Township than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheldon Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 142 claims here since 1981.
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 Sheldon Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sheldon 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
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 Sheldon Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheldon Township, and Sheldon Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sheldon Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Sheldon Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheldon Township flood? Yes: 142 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sheldon Township, from FEMA’s records: 209.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms11 claims · $197K
Sheldon 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: Iroquois County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sheldon Township
Disasters that paid out in Sheldon Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sheldon Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$12K aid approved65 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to Sheldon Township for repairs
Iroquois County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sheldon Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheldon Township archive →Sheldon Township and its neighbors
Sheldon Township is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont Township | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sheldon Township | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 142 |
| Concord Township | — | 370 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| York Township | — | 179 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stockland Township | — | 117 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 Sheldon 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.
- 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 Sheldon Township
Is Sheldon Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheldon Township has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sheldon Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 142 claims in Sheldon Township since 1981, $4.1M in all, or 209.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (11).
Is Sheldon 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 Iroquois County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sheldon Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sheldon 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 Sheldon Township?
By FEMA money that reached Sheldon Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 8 households applied for aid, $12K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 11 paid, $197K.
Is Sheldon Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Sheldon Township’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheldon Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheldon 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.