Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Sparta’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sparta gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #625 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (39%), then river and rain flooding (38%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Sparta faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Sparta’s grade
Earthquakes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sparta, and Sparta’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #625 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sparta’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, Sparta has more expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Sparta: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sparta flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sparta. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sparta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Randolph County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sparta
Disasters that paid out in Sparta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sparta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Randolph County has had 14 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 Sparta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sparta archive →Get ready for what Sparta faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sparta
Is Sparta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sparta has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #625 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (39%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sparta 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 Randolph County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sparta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sparta’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 Sparta?
By FEMA money that reached Sparta, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 7 households applied for aid, $15K approved.
Is Sparta at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Sparta’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sparta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sparta’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.