Less hazard damage per building is expected in Virden than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Virden gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #203 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (20%). 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 Virden 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 Virden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Virden, and Virden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #203 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Virden’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, Virden has less expected damage per building than 74% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Virden: $964K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Virden flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Virden. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Virden 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Virden
Disasters that paid out in Virden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Virden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$54K to the City of Virden for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$3K to the City of Virden 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 Virden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Virden archive →Virden and its neighbors
Virden has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virden | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Auburn Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Virden Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Virden 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 Virden
Is Virden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Virden has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #203 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Virden 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 Virden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Virden’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 Virden?
By FEMA money that reached Virden, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $54K to the City of Virden for repairs.
Is Virden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Virden’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Virden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Virden’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.