On FEMA’s figures, Countryside faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Countryside gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #60 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1979.
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 Countryside 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 Countryside’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Countryside, and Countryside’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #60 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Countryside’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, Countryside has less expected damage per building than 92% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Countryside: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Countryside flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Countryside, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Countryside 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Countryside
Disasters that paid out in Countryside itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Countryside), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the City of Countryside for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$64K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$7K to the City of Countryside for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$8K to the City of Countryside 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 Countryside after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Countryside archive →Countryside and its neighbors
Countryside is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgkins | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Countryside | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| La Grange | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Burr Ridge | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Indian Head Park | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Countryside 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 Countryside
Is Countryside at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Countryside has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #60 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Countryside flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Countryside since 1979, $89K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Countryside 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 Countryside?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Countryside’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 Countryside?
By FEMA money that reached Countryside, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 34 households applied for aid, $64K approved.
Is Countryside at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Countryside’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Countryside.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Countryside’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.