Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Prospect than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prospect gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 55 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Prospect’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prospect 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
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 Prospect’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prospect, and Prospect’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Prospect’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $514K a year in losses across Prospect: $403K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prospect flood? Sometimes: 55 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prospect, from FEMA’s records: 112.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms3 claims · $14K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $4K
Prospect isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Prospect
Disasters that paid out in Prospect itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Prospect), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$2K to the Village of Prospect for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Marion County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Prospect after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prospect archive →Get ready for what Prospect 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.
- 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 Prospect
Is Prospect at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prospect has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (5%). 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 Prospect flood?
Flood insurance has paid 55 claims in Prospect since 1978, $392K in all, or 112.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (3).
Is Prospect 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 Marion County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Prospect?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prospect’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 Prospect?
By FEMA money that reached Prospect, Record Snow and Near Record Snow (2008): $2K to the Village of Prospect for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 3 paid, $14K.
Is Prospect at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Prospect’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prospect.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prospect’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.