Manske-Niemann Farm · Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, South Litchfield Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Litchfield Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #327 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2002.
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 Litchfield 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 South Litchfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Litchfield Township, and South Litchfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #327 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Litchfield Township’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 Litchfield Township has less expected damage per building than 57% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across South Litchfield Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Litchfield Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Litchfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $26K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $45K
South Litchfield 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: Montgomery County.The storms South Litchfield Township remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Montgomery County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Litchfield Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20021 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Montgomery County
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Montgomery County
- 20101 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Montgomery County has had 4 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 South Litchfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Litchfield Township archive →South Litchfield Township and its neighbors
South Litchfield Township is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cahokia Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| North Litchfield Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Litchfield | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Litchfield Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Walshville Township | — | 317 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hillsboro 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 South Litchfield 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.
- 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.
- 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 South Litchfield Township
Is South Litchfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Litchfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #327 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Litchfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in South Litchfield Township since 2002, $114K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is South Litchfield 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 Montgomery County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in South Litchfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Litchfield 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 South Litchfield Township?
By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $26K.
Is South Litchfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and South Litchfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Litchfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Litchfield 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.