On FEMA’s figures, Calumet Township faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calumet Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #754 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2009.
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 Calumet Township 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 Calumet Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Calumet Township, and Calumet Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D #754 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Calumet Township’s residents live in 5 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, Calumet Township has more expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.4M a year in losses across Calumet Township: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Calumet Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Calumet Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $6K
Calumet Township 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Calumet Township
Disasters that paid out in Calumet Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Calumet Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to Calumet Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
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 Calumet Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Calumet Township archive →Calumet Township and its neighbors
Calumet Township is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Worth Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Thornton Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2,023 |
| Calumet Park | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Riverdale | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Blue Island | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Calumet Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Calumet Township 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 Calumet Township
Is Calumet Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calumet Township has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #754 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Calumet Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Calumet Township since 2009, $36K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Calumet Township 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 Calumet Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Calumet Township’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 Calumet Township?
By FEMA money that reached Calumet Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 9 households applied for aid, $30K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Calumet Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Calumet Township’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Calumet Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Calumet Township’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.