Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Moline Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Moline Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #74 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 715 claims here since 1978.
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 South Moline Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Moline 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
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 Moline Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Moline Township, and South Moline Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #74 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Moline Township’s residents live in 14 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 Moline Township has less expected damage per building than 90% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across South Moline Township: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Moline Township flood? Yes: 715 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Moline Township, from FEMA’s records: 42.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms53 claims · $916K
- The Midwest Flooding40 claims · $499K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $9K
South Moline 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: Rock Island County.The storms South Moline Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Rock Island County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Moline Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 1979144 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Rock Island County
- 2008100 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Rock Island County
- 199365 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Rock Island County
Rock Island County has had 12 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 South Moline Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Moline Township archive →South Moline Township and its neighbors
South Moline Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 8 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Moline Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 715 |
| Moline | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 239 |
| Moline Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| South Rock Island Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| East Moline | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 155 |
| Blackhawk Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 201 |
| Rock Island | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Hampton Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 243 |
| Coal Valley Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Riverdale | — | 396 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Campbell's Island | — | 203 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 South Moline 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.
- 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 Moline Township
Is South Moline Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Moline Township has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #74 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Moline Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 715 claims in South Moline Township since 1978, $7.9M in all, or 42.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (53).
Is South Moline 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 Rock Island County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Moline Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Moline 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 Moline Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 53 paid, $916K.
Is South Moline Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and South Moline Township’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Moline Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Moline 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.