Photo: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Elgin as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elgin gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #304 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 115 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 Elgin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elgin 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 Elgin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elgin, and Elgin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #304 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elgin’s residents live in 32 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, Elgin has less expected damage per building than 60% of Illinois towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Elgin has lower expected damage per building than 63% (#150 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $43.1M, is the 277th largest of those 400.
Does Elgin flood? Yes: 115 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elgin, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike39 claims · $1.0M
- The Mid-spring storms15 claims · $255K
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $2K
Elgin 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elgin
Disasters that paid out in Elgin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elgin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng6 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding113 households applied for aid$65K aid approved15 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$214K to the City of Elgin for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$13K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding212 households applied for aid$444K aid approved45 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$68K to the City of Elgin for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$28K to the City of Elgin for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$62K to the City of Elgin for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$64K to the City of Elgin for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 23 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 Elgin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elgin archive →Elgin and its neighbors
Elgin is 9th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundee Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Pingree Grove | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gilberts | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Dundee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hanover Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Bartlett | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Plato Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Campton Hills | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Elgin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| South Elgin | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Elgin Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Elgin 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 Elgin
Is Elgin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elgin has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #304 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elgin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 115 claims in Elgin since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (39).
Is Elgin 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 Elgin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elgin’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 Elgin?
By FEMA money that reached Elgin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 212 households applied for aid, $444K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 39 paid, $1.0M.
Is Elgin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Elgin’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elgin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elgin’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.