Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Stillman Valley faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stillman Valley gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (12%). 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 Stillman 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 Stillman Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stillman Valley, and Stillman Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stillman Valley’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $671K a year in losses across Stillman Valley: $485K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stillman Valley flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Stillman Valley. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Stillman 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: Ogle County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stillman Valley
Disasters that paid out in Stillman Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Stillman Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Village of Stillman Valley for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$3K to the Village of Stillman Valley for repairs
- 2006Snow$3K to the Village of Stillman Valley for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the Village of Stillman Valley for repairs
Ogle County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Stillman Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stillman Valley archive →Get ready for what Stillman 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 Stillman Valley
Is Stillman Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stillman Valley has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Stillman 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stillman Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stillman 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 Stillman Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Stillman Valley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 6 households applied for aid, $18K approved.
Is Stillman Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Stillman Valley’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stillman Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stillman 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.