Photo: bogdanstepniak · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Carol Stream than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carol Stream gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #159 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 123 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 stands out about Carol Stream’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carol Stream, and Carol Stream’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #159 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carol Stream’s residents live in 12 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, Carol Stream has less expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.6M a year in losses across Carol Stream: $7.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carol Stream flood? Yes: 123 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carol Stream, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike53 claims · $1.2M
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $45K
Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream
Disasters that paid out in Carol Stream itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Carol Stream), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$21K to the Village of Carol Stream for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$127K to the Village of Carol Stream for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$118K aid approved27 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding85 households applied for aid$121K aid approved$56K to the Village of Carol Stream for repairs53 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$74K to the Village of Carol Stream for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$74K to the Village of Carol Stream for repairs
DuPage County has had 13 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 Carol Stream after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carol Stream archive →Carol Stream and its neighbors
Carol Stream is 7th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Heights | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Bloomingdale Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 240 |
| Bloomingdale | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Hanover Park | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Wayne Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Bartlett | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Carol Stream | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Glen Ellyn | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Wheaton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 152 |
| Winfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
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 Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream
Is Carol Stream at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carol Stream has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #159 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carol Stream flood?
Flood insurance has paid 123 claims in Carol Stream since 1978, $2.2M in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (53).
Is Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carol Stream’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 Carol Stream?
By FEMA money that reached Carol Stream, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 85 households applied for aid, $121K approved, and $56K to the Village of Carol Stream for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 53 paid, $1.2M.
Is Carol Stream at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Carol Stream’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carol Stream.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carol Stream’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.