Photo: Dual Freq · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Tuscola than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuscola gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #743 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hail (32%). Flood insurance has paid 53 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 stands out about Tuscola’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tuscola 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
Hail
Earthquakes
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 Tuscola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tuscola, and Tuscola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 32%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #743 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tuscola’s residents live in 2 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, Tuscola has more expected damage per building than 97% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Tuscola: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tuscola flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tuscola, from FEMA’s records: 23.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $801
Tuscola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tuscola
Disasters that paid out in Tuscola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tuscola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$26K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$61K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the City of Tuscola for repairs
Douglas County has had 10 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 Tuscola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tuscola archive →Get ready for what Tuscola 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Tuscola
Is Tuscola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuscola has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #743 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hail (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tuscola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Tuscola since 1978, $294K in all, or 23.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Tuscola 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 Douglas County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tuscola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tuscola’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 Tuscola?
By FEMA money that reached Tuscola, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 26 households applied for aid, $61K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $801.
Is Tuscola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Tuscola’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tuscola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tuscola’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.