Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Chicago faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chicago gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #340 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 550 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 Chicago’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chicago 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 Chicago’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chicago, and Chicago’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #340 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chicago’s residents live in 794 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, Chicago has less expected damage per building than 56% of Illinois towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Chicago has lower expected damage per building than 59% (#163 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $1.09B, is the 4th largest of those 400.
Does Chicago flood? Yes: 550 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chicago, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms72 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Ike17 claims · $178K
Chicago 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chicago
Disasters that paid out in Chicago itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chicago), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng24,786 households applied for aid$87.3M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding10,200 households applied for aid$24.8M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding60,637 households applied for aid$185M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding42,535 households applied for aid$61.5M aid approved90 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5.2M to the City of Chicago for repairs47 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding91,135 households applied for aid$225M aid approved41 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding17,171 households applied for aid$20.7M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Chicago for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$2.5M to the City of Chicago for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$655K to the City of Chicago for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$1.5M to the City of Chicago for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5.7M to the City of Chicago for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Chicago after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chicago archive →Chicago and its neighbors
Chicago is 5th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemont | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Schiller Park | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| Elk Grove Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 141 |
| Niles Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 313 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Maine Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,481 |
| Park Ridge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Leyden Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 960 |
| Stickney Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Worth Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| 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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Is Chicago at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chicago has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #340 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chicago flood?
Flood insurance has paid 550 claims in Chicago since 1978, $6.0M in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 71 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (72).
Is Chicago 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 Chicago?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chicago’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 Chicago?
By FEMA money that reached Chicago, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 91,135 households applied for aid, $225M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 72 paid, $1.1M.
Is Chicago at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Chicago’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chicago.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chicago’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.