Photo: Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Cissna Park
Cissna Park isn’t graded for hazard risk: Cissna Park has 903 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1994.
What Cissna Park 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.
Does Cissna Park flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cissna Park, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Ike5 claims · $37K
Cissna Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iroquois County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cissna Park
Disasters that paid out in Cissna Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cissna Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the Village of Cissna Park for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to the Village of Cissna Park for repairs
Iroquois County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Cissna Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cissna Park archive →Cissna Park and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Grove Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fountain Creek Township | — | 213 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ash Grove Township | — | 615 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Cissna Park 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 Cissna Park
Does Cissna Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Cissna Park since 1994, $130K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (5).
Is Cissna Park 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 Iroquois County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cissna Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cissna Park’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 Cissna Park?
By FEMA money that reached Cissna Park, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 5 households applied for aid, $7K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 5 paid, $37K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cissna Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cissna Park’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.