Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in West Frankfort than in 80% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Frankfort gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #666 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (43%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1980.
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 West Frankfort’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Frankfort faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 West Frankfort’s grade
Earthquakes are 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Frankfort, and West Frankfort’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #666 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Frankfort’s residents live in 4 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, West Frankfort has more expected damage per building than 87% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across West Frankfort: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Frankfort flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Frankfort, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm9 claims · $163K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $18K
West Frankfort isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Frankfort
Disasters that paid out in West Frankfort itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Frankfort), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$140K aid approved$45K to the City of West Frankfort for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$56K to the City of West Frankfort for repairs
Franklin County has had 7 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 West Frankfort after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Frankfort archive →Get ready for what West Frankfort faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 West Frankfort
Is West Frankfort at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Frankfort has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #666 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (43%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Frankfort flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in West Frankfort since 1980, $486K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (9).
Is West Frankfort 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 Franklin County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Frankfort?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Frankfort’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 West Frankfort?
By FEMA money that reached West Frankfort, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 32 households applied for aid, $140K approved, and $45K to the City of West Frankfort for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 9 paid, $163K.
Is West Frankfort at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and West Frankfort’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Frankfort.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Frankfort’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.