Trobaugh-Good House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts South Wheatland Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Wheatland Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #597 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1982.
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 Wheatland 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
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 Wheatland Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Wheatland Township, and South Wheatland Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #597 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Wheatland Township’s residents live in 3 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 Wheatland Township has more expected damage per building than 78% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across South Wheatland Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Wheatland Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Wheatland Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Wheatland 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: Macon County.The storms South Wheatland Township remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Macon County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Wheatland Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19821 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Macon County has had 8 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 Wheatland Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Wheatland Township archive →South Wheatland Township and its neighbors
South Wheatland Township is 7th of the 7 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 Macon Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Long Creek Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Decatur | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Decatur Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Mount Zion | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mount Zion Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| South Wheatland Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Blue Mound Township | — | 775 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 Wheatland 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.
- 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 Wheatland Township
Is South Wheatland Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Wheatland Township has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #597 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Wheatland Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Wheatland Township since 1982, $1K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Wheatland 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 Macon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Wheatland Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Wheatland Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Wheatland Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and South Wheatland Township’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Wheatland Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Wheatland 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.