For ice storms, Carterville’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carterville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Carterville 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
Ice storms
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 Carterville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carterville, and Carterville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Carterville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $721K a year in losses across Carterville: $445K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carterville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Carterville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Carterville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carterville
Disasters that paid out in Carterville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carterville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$55K to the City of Carterville for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Carterville for repairs
Jasper County has had 18 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 Carterville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carterville archive →Carterville and its neighbors
Carterville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carterville | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Webb City | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Carterville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Carterville
Is Carterville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carterville has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Carterville 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 Jasper County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carterville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carterville’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 Carterville?
By FEMA money that reached Carterville, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $55K to the City of Carterville for repairs.
Is Carterville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Carterville’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carterville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carterville’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.