Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Elburn than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elburn gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #37 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Elburn 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 Elburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elburn, and Elburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #37 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elburn’s residents live in 3 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, Elburn has less expected damage per building than 95% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Elburn: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elburn flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elburn, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elburn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kane County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elburn
Disasters that paid out in Elburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Elburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Village of Elburn for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$5K to the Village of Elburn for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the Village of Elburn for repairs
Kane 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 Elburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elburn archive →Get ready for what Elburn 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 Elburn
Is Elburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elburn has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #37 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elburn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Elburn since 2021, $14K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Elburn 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 Kane County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elburn’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 Elburn?
By FEMA money that reached Elburn, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 15 households applied for aid, $16K approved.
Is Elburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Elburn’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elburn’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.