FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Burnham than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnham gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #626 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Burnham 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 Burnham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burnham, and Burnham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #626 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burnham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Burnham has more expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Burnham: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burnham flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burnham, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Burnham 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 Burnham
Disasters that paid out in Burnham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Burnham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng98 households applied for aid$383K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding235 households applied for aid$701K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding220 households applied for aid$507K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding126 households applied for aid$210K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Village of Burnham for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding123 households applied for aid$253K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding221 households applied for aid$221K aid approved$41K to the Village of Burnham for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$4K to the Village of Burnham for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to the Village of Burnham 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 Burnham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burnham archive →Burnham and its neighbors
Burnham is 3rd of the 4 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 |
| Calumet City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 380 |
| Burnham | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Thornton Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2,023 |
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 Burnham 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 Burnham
Is Burnham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnham has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #626 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burnham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Burnham since 1979, $8K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Burnham 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 Burnham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burnham’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 Burnham?
By FEMA money that reached Burnham, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 235 households applied for aid, $701K approved.
Is Burnham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Burnham’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burnham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burnham’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.