On FEMA’s figures, Maine Township 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, Maine Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #364 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 1,481 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 Maine Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Maine Township 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 Maine Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maine Township, and Maine Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #364 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maine Township’s residents live in 32 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, Maine Township has less expected damage per building than 53% of Illinois towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Maine Township has lower expected damage per building than 57% (#172 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $66.2M, is the 184th largest of those 400.
Does Maine Township flood? Yes: 1,481 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maine Township, 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.
- Hurricane Ike384 claims · $14.0M
- The Mid-spring storms337 claims · $11.7M
Maine Township 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maine Township
Disasters that paid out in Maine Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Maine Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to Maine Township for repairs98 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to Maine Township for repairs7 flood claims 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 Maine Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maine Township archive →Maine Township and its neighbors
Maine Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemont | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Elk Grove Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 141 |
| Niles Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 313 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Maine Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,481 |
| Park Ridge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Des Plaines | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1,221 |
| Leyden Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 960 |
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 Maine Township 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 Maine Township
Is Maine Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maine Township has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #364 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 Maine Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,481 claims in Maine Township since 1978, $36.9M in all, or 26.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (384).
Is Maine Township 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 Maine Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maine Township’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 Maine Township?
By FEMA money that reached Maine Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $4K to Maine Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 384 paid, $14.0M.
Is Maine Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Maine Township’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maine Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maine Township’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.