FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Burr Ridge as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burr Ridge gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #262 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1978.
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 Burr Ridge 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 Burr Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burr Ridge, and Burr Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B #262 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burr Ridge’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, Burr Ridge has less expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Burr Ridge: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burr Ridge flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burr Ridge, 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.
Burr Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burr Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Burr Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Burr Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Village of Burr Ridge for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$38K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$16K to the Village of Burr Ridge for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$17K to the Village of Burr Ridge for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Burr Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burr Ridge archive →Burr Ridge and its neighbors
Burr Ridge is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countryside | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Willowbrook | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Burr Ridge | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Hinsdale | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Willow Springs | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Indian Head Park | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Burr Ridge 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 Burr Ridge
Is Burr Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burr Ridge has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #262 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burr Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Burr Ridge since 1978, $235K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Burr Ridge 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burr Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burr Ridge’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 Burr Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Burr Ridge, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 8 households applied for aid, $39K approved.
Is Burr Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Burr Ridge’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burr Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burr Ridge’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.