Photo: Kbh3rd · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Alton
Alton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Alton has 744 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1979.
What Alton 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.
Does Alton flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alton, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $138K
Alton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oregon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alton
Disasters that paid out in Alton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$17K to the City of Alton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Oregon County has had 20 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 Alton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alton archive →Get ready for what Alton 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 Alton
Does Alton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Alton since 1979, $400K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Alton 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 Oregon County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alton’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 Alton?
By FEMA money that reached Alton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 3 households applied for aid, $42K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $138K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alton’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.