Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Braidwood than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Braidwood gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #37 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Braidwood 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 Braidwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Braidwood, and Braidwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A #37 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Braidwood’s residents live in 3 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, Braidwood has less expected damage per building than 95% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Braidwood: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Braidwood flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Braidwood, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Braidwood 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Braidwood
Disasters that paid out in Braidwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Braidwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng30 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$3K to the City of Braidwood for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the City of Braidwood for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Braidwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$17K to the City of Braidwood 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 Braidwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Braidwood archive →Braidwood and its neighbors
Braidwood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braidwood | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Reed Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Coal City | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Diamond | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Braceville | — | 860 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Braidwood 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 Braidwood
Is Braidwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Braidwood has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #37 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Braidwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Braidwood since 2019, $40K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Braidwood 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 Braidwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Braidwood’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 Braidwood?
By FEMA money that reached Braidwood, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 4 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $3K to the City of Braidwood for repairs.
Is Braidwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Braidwood’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Braidwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Braidwood’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.