On FEMA’s figures, Crete faces less hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crete gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #220 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 stands out about Crete’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Crete 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 Crete’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crete, and Crete’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B #220 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crete’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, Crete has less expected damage per building than 71% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Crete: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crete flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crete, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $6K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $4K
Crete isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Will County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crete
Disasters that paid out in Crete itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Crete), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng232 households applied for aid$964K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding146 households applied for aid$336K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Village of Crete for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding111 households applied for aid$147K aid approved$19K to the Village of Crete for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$34K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$15K to the Village of Crete for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$10K to the Village of Crete for repairs
Will County has had 16 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 Crete after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crete archive →Crete and its neighbors
Crete 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steger | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Crete | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Crete Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| University Park | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bloom Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 238 |
| Goodenow | — | 0 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 Crete 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 Crete
Is Crete at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crete has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #220 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crete flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Crete since 1979, $112K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Crete 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crete?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crete’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 Crete?
By FEMA money that reached Crete, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 232 households applied for aid, $964K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Crete at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Crete’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crete.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crete’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.