More hazard damage per building is expected in St. Clair Township than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Clair Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #610 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 38 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 St. Clair 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 St. Clair Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Clair Township, and St. Clair Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #610 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Clair Township’s residents live in 15 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, St. Clair Township has more expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.3M a year in losses across St. Clair Township: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Clair Township flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Clair Township, 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.
- The Late July Flooding12 claims · $254K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $60K
St. Clair 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: St. Clair County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to St. Clair Township
Disasters that paid out in St. Clair Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to St. Clair Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$78K to St. Clair Township for repairs
St. Clair County has had 16 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 St. Clair Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Clair Township archive →St. Clair Township and its neighbors
St. Clair Township is 8th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stookey Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| O'Fallon | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Fairview Heights | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Caseyville Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Shiloh Valley Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Shiloh | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Swansea | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| St. Clair Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Belleville | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Smithton 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 St. Clair 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 St. Clair Township
Is St. Clair Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Clair Township has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #610 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Clair Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in St. Clair Township since 1978, $594K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (12).
Is St. Clair 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in St. Clair Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Clair 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 St. Clair Township?
By FEMA money that reached St. Clair Township, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $78K to St. Clair Township for repairs. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 12 paid, $254K.
Is St. Clair Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and St. Clair Township’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Clair Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Clair 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.