Photo: Teemu08 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cicero than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cicero gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #696 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 2011.
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 Cicero 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 Cicero’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cicero, and Cicero’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #696 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cicero’s residents live in 16 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, Cicero has more expected damage per building than 91% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $39.6M a year in losses across Cicero: $20.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cicero flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cicero, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cicero 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cicero
Disasters that paid out in Cicero itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cicero), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng269 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding86 households applied for aid$171K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding7,601 households applied for aid$41.5M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding474 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$170K to the Town of Cicero for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6,352 households applied for aid$20.8M aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$249K to the Town of Cicero for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$113K to the Town of Cicero for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$87K to the Town of Cicero 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 Cicero after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cicero archive →Cicero and its neighbors
Cicero is 4th of the 5 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 |
| Stickney Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Berwyn | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Cicero | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Stickney | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Berwyn Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Cicero 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 Cicero
Is Cicero at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cicero has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #696 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cicero flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Cicero since 2011, $89K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cicero 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 Cicero?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cicero’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 Cicero?
By FEMA money that reached Cicero, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 7,601 households applied for aid, $41.5M approved.
Is Cicero at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Cicero’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cicero.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cicero’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.