Photo: bogdanstepniak · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Itasca than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Itasca gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #15 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 34 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 Itasca’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Itasca 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
Earthquakes
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 Itasca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Itasca, and Itasca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #15 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Itasca’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, Itasca has less expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Itasca: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Itasca flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Itasca, from FEMA’s records: 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike7 claims · $421K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $216K
Itasca isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Itasca
Disasters that paid out in Itasca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Itasca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$27K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Village of Itasca for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$34K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$24K to the Village of Itasca for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$23K to the Village of Itasca for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$29K to the Village of Itasca for repairs
DuPage 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 Itasca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Itasca archive →Itasca and its neighbors
Itasca 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itasca | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Roselle | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Elk Grove Village | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Wood Dale | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 207 |
| Addison Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 845 |
| Elk Grove Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 141 |
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 Itasca 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Itasca
Is Itasca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Itasca has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #15 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Itasca flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Itasca since 1979, $779K in all, or 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (7).
Is Itasca 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Itasca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Itasca’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 Itasca?
By FEMA money that reached Itasca, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 29 households applied for aid, $90K approved, and $24K to the Village of Itasca for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 7 paid, $421K.
Is Itasca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Itasca’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Itasca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Itasca’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.