FEMA puts Crestwood’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crestwood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #673 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Crestwood 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 Crestwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crestwood, and Crestwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #673 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crestwood’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, Crestwood has more expected damage per building than 88% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Crestwood: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crestwood flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crestwood, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Crestwood 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crestwood
Disasters that paid out in Crestwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Crestwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng51 households applied for aid$104K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$102K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$66K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$13K to the Village of Crestwood for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$11K to the Village of Crestwood 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 Crestwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crestwood archive →Crestwood and its neighbors
Crestwood is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Robbins | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Crestwood | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Alsip | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Crestwood 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 Crestwood
Is Crestwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crestwood has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #673 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crestwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Crestwood since 1978, $134K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Crestwood 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 Crestwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crestwood’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 Crestwood?
By FEMA money that reached Crestwood, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 51 households applied for aid, $104K approved.
Is Crestwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Crestwood’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crestwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crestwood’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.