FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Swansea than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swansea gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #590 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1996.
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 Swansea 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 Swansea’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Swansea, and Swansea’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 24% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C #590 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Swansea’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, Swansea has more expected damage per building than 77% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.6M a year in losses across Swansea: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Swansea flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Swansea, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding6 claims · $167K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Swansea 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Swansea
Disasters that paid out in Swansea itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Swansea), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng144 households applied for aid$451K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding95 households applied for aid$237K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$66K to the Village of Swansea 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 Swansea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Swansea archive →Swansea and its neighbors
Swansea is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
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 Swansea 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 Swansea
Is Swansea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swansea has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #590 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Swansea flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Swansea since 1996, $286K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (6).
Is Swansea 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 Swansea?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Swansea’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 Swansea?
By FEMA money that reached Swansea, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 144 households applied for aid, $451K approved. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 6 paid, $167K.
Is Swansea at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Swansea’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Swansea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Swansea’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.