Photo: SHurleyVOM · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Matteson 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, Matteson gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #436 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1982.
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 Matteson 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 Matteson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Matteson, and Matteson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #436 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Matteson’s residents live in 7 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, Matteson has more expected damage per building than 57% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Matteson: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Matteson flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Matteson, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $7K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $8K
Matteson 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 Matteson
Disasters that paid out in Matteson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Matteson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng745 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding213 households applied for aid$570K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding808 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding452 households applied for aid$795K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$47K to the Village of Matteson for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding598 households applied for aid$989K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding451 households applied for aid$576K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$11K to the Village of Matteson for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$16K to the Village of Matteson for repairs
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 Matteson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Matteson archive →Matteson and its neighbors
Matteson is 8th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Frankfort Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Olympia Fields | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Park Forest | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Frankfort Square | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Rich Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Richton Park | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Matteson | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
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 Matteson 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 Matteson
Is Matteson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Matteson has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #436 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 Matteson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Matteson since 1982, $73K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Matteson 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 Matteson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Matteson’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 Matteson?
By FEMA money that reached Matteson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 808 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Matteson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Matteson’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Matteson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Matteson’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.