Photo: Bedford at en.wikipedia · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Calhoun
Calhoun isn’t graded for hazard risk: Calhoun has 601 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1984.
What Calhoun 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
Ice storms
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.
Does Calhoun flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Calhoun, from FEMA’s records.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding7 claims · $168K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $21K
Calhoun isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLean County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Calhoun
Disasters that paid out in Calhoun itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Calhoun), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides85 households applied for aid$872K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding32 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$24K to the City of Calhoun for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$21K to the City of Calhoun for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$10K to the City of Calhoun for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$16K to the City of Calhoun for repairs
McLean County has had 18 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 Calhoun after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Calhoun archive →Get ready for what Calhoun 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Calhoun
Does Calhoun flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Calhoun since 1984, $369K in all. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (7).
Is Calhoun 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 McLean County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Calhoun?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Calhoun’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 Calhoun?
By FEMA money that reached Calhoun, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 85 households applied for aid, $872K approved. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 7 paid, $168K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Calhoun.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Calhoun’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.