Photo: Bnperdue2010 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Bolingbrook’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bolingbrook gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #53 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1983.
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 Bolingbrook’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bolingbrook 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 Bolingbrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bolingbrook, and Bolingbrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #53 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bolingbrook’s residents live in 19 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, Bolingbrook has less expected damage per building than 93% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.4M a year in losses across Bolingbrook: $14.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bolingbrook flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bolingbrook, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $152K
Bolingbrook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Will County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bolingbrook
Disasters that paid out in Bolingbrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bolingbrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng248 households applied for aid$942K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding372 households applied for aid$758K aid approved$209K to the Village of Bolingbrook for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$136K to the Village of Bolingbrook for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding116 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$20K to the Village of Bolingbrook for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$66K to the Village of Bolingbrook for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$46K to the Village of Bolingbrook for repairs
Will County has had 16 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 Bolingbrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bolingbrook archive →Bolingbrook and its neighbors
Bolingbrook 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romeoville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Du Page Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Bolingbrook | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Woodridge | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Lisle Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 348 |
| Plainfield | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Naperville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 116 |
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 Bolingbrook 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 Bolingbrook
Is Bolingbrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bolingbrook has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #53 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bolingbrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Bolingbrook since 1983, $756K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Bolingbrook 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bolingbrook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bolingbrook’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 Bolingbrook?
By FEMA money that reached Bolingbrook, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 372 households applied for aid, $758K approved, and $209K to the Village of Bolingbrook for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $152K.
Is Bolingbrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Bolingbrook’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bolingbrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bolingbrook’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.