Photo: G LeTourneau · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Batavia’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batavia gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #80 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Batavia 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 Batavia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Batavia, and Batavia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #80 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Batavia’s residents live in 9 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, Batavia has less expected damage per building than 90% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Batavia: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Batavia flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Batavia, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $6K
Batavia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kane County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Batavia
Disasters that paid out in Batavia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Batavia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$53K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the City of Batavia for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$76K to the City of Batavia for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$41K to the City of Batavia for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$53K to the City of Batavia for repairs
Kane County has had 13 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 Batavia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Batavia archive →Batavia and its neighbors
Batavia is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Aurora | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Geneva | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Batavia | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Batavia Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Geneva Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| West Chicago | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Aurora | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 207 |
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 Batavia 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 Batavia
Is Batavia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batavia has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #80 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Batavia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Batavia since 1996, $10K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Batavia 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 Kane County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Batavia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Batavia’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 Batavia?
By FEMA money that reached Batavia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $76K to the City of Batavia for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Batavia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Batavia’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Batavia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Batavia’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.