Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lombard than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lombard gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #159 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 94 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 Lombard’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lombard 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 Lombard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lombard, and Lombard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #159 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lombard’s residents live in 18 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, Lombard has less expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.6M a year in losses across Lombard: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lombard flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lombard, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms11 claims · $260K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $17K
Lombard 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 Lombard
Disasters that paid out in Lombard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lombard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding511 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$52K to the Village of Lombard for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$59K to the Village of Lombard for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding408 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$73K aid approved$47K to the Village of Lombard for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$25K to the Village of Lombard for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$43K to the Village of Lombard for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Lombard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lombard archive →Lombard and its neighbors
Lombard is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakbrook Terrace | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Addison | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| Oak Brook | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Villa Park | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Lombard | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Downers Grove | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Glen Ellyn | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
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 Lombard 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 Lombard
Is Lombard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lombard has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #159 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lombard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Lombard since 1978, $756K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (11).
Is Lombard 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 Lombard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lombard’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 Lombard?
By FEMA money that reached Lombard, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 511 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $52K to the Village of Lombard for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 11 paid, $260K.
Is Lombard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Lombard’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lombard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lombard’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.