Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Forest Park faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Park gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #560 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1980.
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 Forest Park 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 Forest Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Park, and Forest Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C #560 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Park’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, Forest Park has more expected damage per building than 73% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Forest Park: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Park flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest Park, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $8K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Forest Park 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 Forest Park
Disasters that paid out in Forest Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Forest Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng47 households applied for aid$146K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding158 households applied for aid$454K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding186 households applied for aid$245K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the Village of Forest Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding891 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$10K to the Village of Forest Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Village of Forest Park for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$20K to the Village of Forest Park for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$16K to the Village of Forest Park 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 Forest Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest Park archive →Forest Park and its neighbors
Forest Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Park | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| North Riverside | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| River Forest | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Maywood | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Proviso Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2,580 |
| River Forest 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 Forest Park 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 Forest Park
Is Forest Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Park has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #560 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Forest Park since 1980, $23K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Forest Park 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 Forest Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest Park’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 Forest Park?
By FEMA money that reached Forest Park, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 891 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Forest Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Forest Park’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Park’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.