Photo: KWayne1 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Sterling as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #272 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Sterling 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 Sterling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sterling, and Sterling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B #272 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sterling’s residents live in 6 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, Sterling has less expected damage per building than 65% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Sterling: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sterling flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sterling, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sterling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Whiteside County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sterling
Disasters that paid out in Sterling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sterling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
Whiteside County has had 11 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 Sterling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sterling archive →Sterling and its neighbors
Sterling has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hopkins Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Coloma Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Rock Falls | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sterling Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Galt | — | 213 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 Sterling 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 Sterling
Is Sterling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #272 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sterling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sterling since 2016, $659 in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sterling 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 Whiteside County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sterling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sterling’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 Sterling?
By FEMA money that reached Sterling, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 28 households applied for aid, $48K approved.
Is Sterling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Sterling’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sterling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sterling’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.