On FEMA’s figures, Markham faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Markham gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #650 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 196 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 Markham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Markham 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 Markham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Markham, and Markham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #650 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Markham’s residents live in 5 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, Markham has more expected damage per building than 85% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Markham: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Markham flood? Yes: 196 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Markham, from FEMA’s records: 49.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike7 claims · $34K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $21K
Markham 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Markham
Disasters that paid out in Markham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Markham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng605 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding328 households applied for aid$747K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding779 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding645 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the City of Markham for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding695 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding733 households applied for aid$766K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$8K to the City of Markham for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$10K to the City of Markham for repairs1 flood claim 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 Markham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Markham archive →Markham and its neighbors
Markham is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Forest | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Country Club Hills | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Midlothian | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Markham | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Hazel Crest | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Harvey | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 381 |
| Posen | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
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 Markham 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 Markham
Is Markham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Markham has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #650 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Markham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 196 claims in Markham since 1979, $830K in all, or 49.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (7).
Is Markham 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 Markham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Markham’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 Markham?
By FEMA money that reached Markham, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 695 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 7 paid, $34K.
Is Markham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Markham’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Markham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Markham’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.