FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in South Ottawa Township than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Ottawa Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #691 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Ottawa 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
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 Ottawa Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Ottawa Township, and South Ottawa Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #691 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Ottawa Township’s residents live in 4 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 Ottawa Township has more expected damage per building than 90% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across South Ottawa Township: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Ottawa Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Ottawa Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Ottawa 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: La Salle County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to South Ottawa Township
Disasters that paid out in South Ottawa Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to South Ottawa Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to South Ottawa Township for repairs
La Salle County has had 17 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 Ottawa Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Ottawa Township archive →South Ottawa Township and its neighbors
South Ottawa Township is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| South Ottawa Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fall River Township | — | 900 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Farm Ridge Township | — | 871 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Deer Park Township | — | 438 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 Ottawa 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.
- 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 Ottawa Township
Is South Ottawa Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Ottawa Township has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #691 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Ottawa Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in South Ottawa Township since 1996, $97K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Ottawa 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 La Salle County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Ottawa Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Ottawa 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 Ottawa Township?
By FEMA money that reached South Ottawa Township, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $5K to South Ottawa Township for repairs.
Is South Ottawa Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and South Ottawa Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Ottawa Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Ottawa 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.