FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in South Rock Island Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Rock Island Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #282 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 31 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 South Rock Island 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 Rock Island Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Rock Island Township, and South Rock Island Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #282 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Rock Island Township’s residents live in 6 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 Rock Island Township has less expected damage per building than 63% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across South Rock Island Township: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Rock Island Township flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Rock Island Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $33K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $11K
South Rock Island 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 Rock Island Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Rock Island County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Rock Island Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19936 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Rock Island County
- 19794 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Rock Island County
- 20084 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 Rock Island Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Rock Island Township archive →South Rock Island Township and its neighbors
South Rock Island Township is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Davenport | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
| South Rock Island Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Blackhawk Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 201 |
| Milan | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Rock Island | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Rock Island Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island Township
Is South Rock Island Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Rock Island Township has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #282 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Rock Island Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in South Rock Island Township since 1978, $335K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (5).
Is South Rock Island 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 Rock Island Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Rock Island 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 Rock Island Township?
By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $33K.
Is South Rock Island Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and South Rock Island Township’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Rock Island Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Rock Island 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.