Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Wood River’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wood River gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #689 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Wood River 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
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 Wood River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wood River, and Wood River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 20% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #689 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wood River’s residents live in 8 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, Wood River has more expected damage per building than 90% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Wood River: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wood River flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wood River, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $6K
Wood River isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wood River
Disasters that paid out in Wood River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wood River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$78K to the City of Wood River for repairs
Madison County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wood River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wood River archive →Wood River and its neighbors
Wood River is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethalto | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Rosewood Heights | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Roxana | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| East Alton | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hartford | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Wood River | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Wood River 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.
- 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 Wood River
Is Wood River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wood River has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #689 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wood River flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Wood River since 1978, $138K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Wood River 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 Madison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wood River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wood River’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 Wood River?
By FEMA money that reached Wood River, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $78K to the City of Wood River for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Wood River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Wood River’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wood River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wood River’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.