For tornadoes, West Lincoln Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lincoln Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #351 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 West Lincoln Township 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
Earthquakes
Strong wind
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 Lincoln Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Lincoln Township, and West Lincoln Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #351 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Lincoln Township’s residents live in 5 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 Lincoln Township has less expected damage per building than 54% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across West Lincoln Township: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Lincoln Township flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Lincoln Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Lincoln Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Logan County.The storms West Lincoln Township remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Logan County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Lincoln Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19814 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19824 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19792 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Logan County has had 9 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 Lincoln Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Lincoln Township archive →West Lincoln Township and its neighbors
West Lincoln Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Lincoln Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Lincoln | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| East Lincoln Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Broadwell Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Orvil Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Sheridan Township | — | 430 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 West Lincoln Township 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Lincoln Township
Is West Lincoln Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lincoln Township has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #351 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Lincoln Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in West Lincoln Township since 1979, $47K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Lincoln Township 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 Logan County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Lincoln Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Lincoln Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is West Lincoln Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and West Lincoln Township’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Lincoln Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Lincoln Township’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.