Photo: Anonymous · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Downers Grove faces less hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Downers Grove gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #197 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 102 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 Downers Grove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Downers Grove, and Downers Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B #197 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Downers Grove’s residents live in 19 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, Downers Grove has less expected damage per building than 74% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.6M a year in losses across Downers Grove: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Downers Grove flood? Yes: 102 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Downers Grove, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms30 claims · $630K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $5K
Downers Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Downers Grove
Disasters that paid out in Downers Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Downers Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding601 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$100K to the Village of Downers Grove for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$77K to the Village of Downers Grove for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$57K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$15K to the Village of Downers Grove for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$40K to the Village of Downers Grove for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$33K to the Village of Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Downers Grove archive →Downers Grove and its neighbors
Downers Grove is 8th of the 9 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 |
| Oak Brook | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Downers Grove Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 210 |
| Lombard | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Lisle Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 348 |
| Downers Grove | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Lisle | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 202 |
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 Downers Grove 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.
- Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove
Is Downers Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Downers Grove has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #197 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Downers Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 102 claims in Downers Grove since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (30).
Is Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove?
Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Downers Grove, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 601 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $100K to the Village of Downers Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 30 paid, $630K.
Is Downers Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Downers Grove’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Downers Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Downers Grove’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.