Storms, floods and disasters in Max
Max isn’t graded for hazard risk: Max has 358 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1997.
What Max 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.
Does Max flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Max, from FEMA’s records.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $478
Max 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 Max
Disasters that paid out in Max itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Max), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding8 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$15K to the City of Max for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storm and Record And/or Near Record Snow$818 to the City of Max for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$14K to the City of Max for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$309K to the City of Max for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Max after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Max archive →Get ready for what Max 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 Max
Does Max flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Max since 1997, $55K in all. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Max 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 Max?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Max’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 Max?
By FEMA money that reached Max, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor (1999): $309K to the City of Max for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $478.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Max.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Max’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.