On FEMA’s figures, Spring Valley faces less hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Valley gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #161 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims 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 Spring Valley 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 Spring Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spring Valley, and Spring Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #161 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Spring Valley’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, Spring Valley has less expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Spring Valley: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spring Valley flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring Valley, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Spring Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bureau County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Spring Valley
Disasters that paid out in Spring Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Spring Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
Bureau County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Spring Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring Valley archive →Spring Valley and its neighbors
Spring Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hall Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Spring Valley | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Peru Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Spring Valley 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 Spring Valley
Is Spring Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Valley has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #161 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spring Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Spring Valley since 1982, $22K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Spring Valley 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 Bureau County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spring Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring Valley’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 Spring Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Spring Valley, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 19 households applied for aid, $27K approved.
Is Spring Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Spring Valley’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring Valley’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.