Photo: Madcoverboy · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Evanston faces less hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evanston gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #133 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Evanston 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 Evanston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Evanston, and Evanston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #133 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Evanston’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, Evanston has less expected damage per building than 83% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.1M a year in losses across Evanston: $13.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Evanston flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Evanston, 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.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $5K
Evanston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Evanston
Disasters that paid out in Evanston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Evanston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng48 households applied for aid$194K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding109 households applied for aid$166K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding317 households applied for aid$398K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$164K to the City of Evanston for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding93 households applied for aid$145K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding140 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$25K to the City of Evanston for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$210K to the City of Evanston for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$92K to the City of Evanston for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$114K to the City of Evanston for repairs
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 Evanston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Evanston archive →Evanston and its neighbors
Evanston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evanston | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Skokie | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 240 |
| Niles Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 313 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| New Trier Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 352 |
| Wilmette | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
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 Evanston 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 Evanston
Is Evanston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evanston has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #133 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 Evanston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Evanston since 1978, $27K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Evanston 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 Evanston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Evanston’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 Evanston?
By FEMA money that reached Evanston, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 317 households applied for aid, $398K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Evanston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Evanston’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Evanston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Evanston’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.