FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in West Peoria as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Peoria gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #247 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Peoria 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
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 West Peoria’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Peoria, and West Peoria’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B #247 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Peoria’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, West Peoria has less expected damage per building than 68% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across West Peoria: $759K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Peoria flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Peoria, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Peoria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Peoria County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Peoria
Disasters that paid out in West Peoria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Peoria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the City of West Peoria for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2006Snow$8K to the City of West Peoria for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$5K to the City of West Peoria for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to the City of West Peoria for repairs
Peoria County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Peoria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Peoria archive →West Peoria and its neighbors
West Peoria is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Peoria | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
| Peoria City Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 222 |
| West Peoria | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Peoria 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.
- 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 West Peoria
Is West Peoria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Peoria has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #247 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Peoria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in West Peoria since 1979, $58K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Peoria 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 Peoria County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in West Peoria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Peoria’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 Peoria?
By FEMA money that reached West Peoria, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 34 households applied for aid, $37K approved.
Is West Peoria at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and West Peoria’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Peoria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Peoria’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.