Photo: Bnperdue2010 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Darien than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Darien gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #84 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Darien 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 Darien’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Darien, and Darien’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #84 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Darien’s residents live in 11 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, Darien has less expected damage per building than 89% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Darien: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Darien flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Darien, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $14K
Darien isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Darien
Disasters that paid out in Darien itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Darien), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$141K aid approved$7K to the City of Darien for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$44K to the City of Darien for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$21K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$23K to the City of Darien for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$19K to the City of Darien for repairs
DuPage County has had 13 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 Darien after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Darien archive →Darien and its neighbors
Darien is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodridge | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Westmont | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Darien | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Willowbrook | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Downers Grove | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
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 Darien 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 Darien
Is Darien at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Darien has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #84 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Darien flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Darien since 1979, $134K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Darien 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Darien?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Darien’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 Darien?
By FEMA money that reached Darien, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 25 households applied for aid, $141K approved, and $7K to the City of Darien for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Darien at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Darien’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Darien.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Darien’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.