FEMA puts Bartlett’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartlett gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #134 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Bartlett’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bartlett 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 Bartlett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bartlett, and Bartlett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #134 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bartlett’s residents live in 16 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bartlett has less expected damage per building than 83% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.9M a year in losses across Bartlett: $9.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bartlett flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bartlett, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $14K
Bartlett is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bartlett
Disasters that paid out in Bartlett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bartlett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng8 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$137K to the Village of Bartlett for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding200 households applied for aid$871K aid approved$52K to the Village of Bartlett for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$34K to the Village of Bartlett for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bartlett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bartlett archive →Bartlett and its neighbors
Bartlett is 5th of the 9 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamwood | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hanover Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Hanover Park | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Wayne Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Bartlett | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wayne | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Carol Stream | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Elgin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| South Elgin | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
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 Bartlett 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.
- Bartlett residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bartlett
Is Bartlett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartlett has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #134 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bartlett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Bartlett since 1978, $17K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Bartlett 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bartlett?
Bartlett is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bartlett?
By FEMA money that reached Bartlett, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 200 households applied for aid, $871K approved, and $52K to the Village of Bartlett for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $14K.
Is Bartlett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Bartlett’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bartlett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bartlett’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.