Photo: AlphaBeta135 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Burbank than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burbank gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #457 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1979.
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 Burbank 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 Burbank’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burbank, and Burbank’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #457 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burbank’s residents live in 6 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, Burbank has more expected damage per building than 59% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.9M a year in losses across Burbank: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burbank flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burbank, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $11K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Burbank isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cook County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burbank
Disasters that paid out in Burbank itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burbank), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng47 households applied for aid$213K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding85 households applied for aid$174K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding82 households applied for aid$229K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the City of Burbank for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding206 households applied for aid$692K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$16K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$13K to the City of Burbank for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$13K to the City of Burbank for repairs
Cook County has had 21 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 Burbank after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burbank archive →Burbank and its neighbors
Burbank is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Bridgeview | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Burbank | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Stickney Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Oak Lawn | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Bedford Park | — | 586 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 Burbank 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 Burbank
Is Burbank at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burbank has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #457 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burbank flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Burbank since 1979, $302K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Burbank 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 Cook County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burbank?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burbank’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 Burbank?
By FEMA money that reached Burbank, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 206 households applied for aid, $692K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $11K.
Is Burbank at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Burbank’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burbank.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burbank’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.