On FEMA’s figures, Flossmoor faces more hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flossmoor gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #444 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 98 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 Flossmoor’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Flossmoor 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 Flossmoor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flossmoor, and Flossmoor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #444 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Flossmoor’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, Flossmoor has more expected damage per building than 58% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Flossmoor: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flossmoor flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flossmoor, from FEMA’s records: 26.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $15K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Flossmoor is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Flossmoor
Disasters that paid out in Flossmoor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Flossmoor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng359 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding69 households applied for aid$189K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding274 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding171 households applied for aid$462K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Village of Flossmoor for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding173 households applied for aid$402K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding136 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$7K to the Village of Flossmoor for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Village of Flossmoor for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$10K to the Village of Flossmoor for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$10K to the Village of Flossmoor for repairs1 flood claim 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 Flossmoor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flossmoor archive →Flossmoor and its neighbors
Flossmoor is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Heights | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Olympia Fields | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Rich Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Flossmoor | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Bloom Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 238 |
| Country Club Hills | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Homewood | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Hazel Crest | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Flossmoor 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.
- Flossmoor residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Flossmoor
Is Flossmoor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flossmoor has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #444 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Flossmoor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in Flossmoor since 1978, $536K in all, or 26.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Flossmoor 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 Flossmoor?
Flossmoor is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Flossmoor?
By FEMA money that reached Flossmoor, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 359 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $15K.
Is Flossmoor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Flossmoor’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flossmoor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flossmoor’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.