On FEMA’s figures, Staunton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Staunton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #438 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
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 Staunton 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
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 Staunton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Staunton, and Staunton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #438 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Staunton’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, Staunton has more expected damage per building than 57% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Staunton: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Staunton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Staunton, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Staunton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macoupin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Staunton
Disasters that paid out in Staunton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Staunton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$48K to the City of Staunton for repairs
Macoupin County has had 6 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 Staunton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Staunton archive →Get ready for what Staunton 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.
- 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 Staunton
Is Staunton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Staunton has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #438 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Staunton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Staunton since 1983, $39K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Staunton 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 Macoupin County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Staunton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Staunton’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 Staunton?
By FEMA money that reached Staunton, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $48K to the City of Staunton for repairs.
Is Staunton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Staunton’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Staunton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Staunton’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.