Storms, floods and disasters in Elgin
Elgin isn’t graded for hazard risk: Elgin has 585 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Elgin 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Elgin flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Elgin. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Elgin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elgin
Disasters that paid out in Elgin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elgin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$20K to the City of Elgin for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$27K to the City of Elgin for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$200 aid approved
Grant County has had 24 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 Elgin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elgin archive →Get ready for what Elgin 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Elgin
Is Elgin 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 Grant County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Elgin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elgin’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 Elgin?
By FEMA money that reached Elgin, Severe Winter Storm (2013): $27K to the City of Elgin for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elgin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elgin’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.