Photo: Randy Escalada · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Des Plaines than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Plaines gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #445 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 1,221 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 stands out about Des Plaines’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines’ grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Des Plaines, and Des Plaines’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #445 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Des Plaines’ residents live in 20 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, Des Plaines has more expected damage per building than 58% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.0M a year in losses across Des Plaines: $17.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Des Plaines flood? Yes: 1,221 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Des Plaines, from FEMA’s records: 51.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike363 claims · $13.5M
- The Mid-spring storms295 claims · $11.0M
Des Plaines is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Des Plaines
Disasters that paid out in Des Plaines itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Des Plaines), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng40 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding75 households applied for aid$133K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding708 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved302 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$114K to the City of Des Plaines for repairs52 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding125 households applied for aid$244K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding963 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Des Plaines for repairs372 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$950K to the City of Des Plaines for repairs65 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$40K to the City of Des Plaines for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$74K to the City of Des Plaines for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
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 Des Plaines after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Des Plaines archive →Des Plaines and its neighbors
Des Plaines is 8th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Grove Village | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Rosemont | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Elk Grove Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 141 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Maine Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,481 |
| Park Ridge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Northfield Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 333 |
| Des Plaines | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1,221 |
| Leyden Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 960 |
| Mount Prospect | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Glenview | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
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 Des Plaines 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.
- Des Plaines residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Des Plaines
Is Des Plaines at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Plaines has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #445 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Des Plaines flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,221 claims in Des Plaines since 1978, $31.8M in all, or 51.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 238 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (363).
Is Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines?
Des Plaines is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Des Plaines?
By FEMA money that reached Des Plaines, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 963 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $1.0M to the City of Des Plaines for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 363 paid, $13.5M.
Is Des Plaines at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Des Plaines’ rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Des Plaines.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Des Plaines’ 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.