Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Garrison faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garrison gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Garrison 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
Tornadoes
Winter 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); winter storms is FEMA’s “Winter Weather” (snow, sleet and freezing rain). 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 Garrison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Garrison, and Garrison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Garrison’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Garrison: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Garrison flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Garrison, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Garrison 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Garrison
Disasters that paid out in Garrison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Garrison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2004Snow$2K to the City of Garrison for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$11K to the City of Garrison for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$78K to the City of Garrison for repairs
McLean County has had 22 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 Garrison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Garrison archive →Get ready for what Garrison 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.
- 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.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- 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 Garrison
Is Garrison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garrison has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hail (17%). 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.
Does Garrison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Garrison since 2005, $8K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Garrison 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, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Garrison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Garrison’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 Garrison?
By FEMA money that reached Garrison, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor (1999): $78K to the City of Garrison for repairs.
Is Garrison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Garrison’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Garrison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Garrison’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.