FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in South Jacksonville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Jacksonville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #427 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (10%). 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 South Jacksonville 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
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 South Jacksonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Jacksonville, and South Jacksonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #427 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Jacksonville’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, South Jacksonville has more expected damage per building than 56% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across South Jacksonville: $657K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Jacksonville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in South Jacksonville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
South Jacksonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morgan County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Jacksonville
Disasters that paid out in South Jacksonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Jacksonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$118K to the Village of South Jacksonville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$40K to the Village of South Jacksonville for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Village of South Jacksonville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$2K to the Village of South Jacksonville for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the Village of South Jacksonville for repairs
Morgan County has had 14 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 South Jacksonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Jacksonville archive →South Jacksonville and its neighbors
South Jacksonville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Jacksonville | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Jacksonville | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 South Jacksonville 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.
- 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 South Jacksonville
Is South Jacksonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Jacksonville has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #427 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is South Jacksonville 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 Morgan County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Jacksonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Jacksonville’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 South Jacksonville?
By FEMA money that reached South Jacksonville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $118K to the Village of South Jacksonville for repairs.
Is South Jacksonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and South Jacksonville’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Jacksonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Jacksonville’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.