FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Smithton than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #615 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (30%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Smithton 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 Smithton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithton, and Smithton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #615 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smithton’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, Smithton has more expected damage per building than 80% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Smithton: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smithton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Smithton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Smithton 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 Smithton
Disasters that paid out in Smithton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Smithton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng12 households applied for aid$23K 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 Smithton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithton archive →Smithton and its neighbors
Smithton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Smithton | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Belleville | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Smithton 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 Smithton 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 Smithton
Is Smithton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithton has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #615 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Smithton 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 Smithton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithton’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 Smithton?
By FEMA money that reached Smithton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 12 households applied for aid, $23K approved.
Is Smithton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Smithton’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithton’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.