Photo: LisleLibraryDistrict · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lisle faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lisle gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #225 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 202 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 stands out about Lisle’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lisle 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 Lisle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lisle, and Lisle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B #225 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lisle’s residents live in 10 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, Lisle has less expected damage per building than 71% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.6M a year in losses across Lisle: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lisle flood? Yes: 202 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lisle, from FEMA’s records: 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms112 claims · $6.5M
- Hurricane Ike22 claims · $121K
Lisle is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lisle
Disasters that paid out in Lisle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lisle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding848 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$271K to the Village of Lisle for repairs112 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$47K to the Village of Lisle for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$9K to the Village of Lisle for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$21K to the Village of Lisle for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$31K to the Village of Lisle 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 Lisle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lisle archive →Lisle and its neighbors
Lisle is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodridge | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Downers Grove | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Lisle | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 202 |
| Wheaton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 152 |
| Naperville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 116 |
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 Lisle 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.
- Lisle residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lisle
Is Lisle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lisle has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #225 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 Lisle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 202 claims in Lisle since 1980, $7.7M in all, or 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (112).
Is Lisle 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 Lisle?
Lisle is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Lisle?
By FEMA money that reached Lisle, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 848 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $271K to the Village of Lisle for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 112 paid, $6.5M.
Is Lisle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Lisle’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lisle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lisle’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.