Cornelius Flagg Farmstead · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Sherman than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sherman gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #142 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Sherman 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
Earthquakes
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 Sherman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sherman, and Sherman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #142 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sherman’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, Sherman has less expected damage per building than 82% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Sherman: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sherman flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sherman, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sherman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sangamon County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sherman
Disasters that paid out in Sherman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sherman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Village of Sherman for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Village of Sherman for repairs
- 2006Tornadoes and Severe Storms7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$1K to the Village of Sherman for repairs
Sangamon County has had 9 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 Sherman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sherman archive →Sherman and its neighbors
Sherman is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Sherman | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Williams Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fancy Creek Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Springfield | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Capital Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
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 Sherman 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Sherman
Is Sherman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sherman has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #142 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sherman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sherman since 2008, $53K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sherman 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 Sangamon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sherman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sherman’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 Sherman?
By FEMA money that reached Sherman, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $9K to the Village of Sherman for repairs.
Is Sherman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Sherman’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sherman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sherman’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.