Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Maywood than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maywood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #610 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 Maywood 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 Maywood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maywood, and Maywood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #610 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maywood’s residents live in 6 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, Maywood has more expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.9M a year in losses across Maywood: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maywood flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maywood, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $28K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $1K
Maywood 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maywood
Disasters that paid out in Maywood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Maywood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng489 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding163 households applied for aid$744K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1,114 households applied for aid$4.6M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,715 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$52K to the Village of Maywood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3,835 households applied for aid$14.2M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding684 households applied for aid$689K aid approved$114K to the Village of Maywood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$210K to the Village of Maywood for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$26K to the Village of Maywood for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$20K to the Village of Maywood 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 Maywood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maywood archive →Maywood and its neighbors
Maywood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadview | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Melrose Park | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 374 |
| Forest Park | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| River Forest | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Maywood | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Proviso Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2,580 |
| Bellwood | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1,127 |
| River Forest Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Maywood 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 Maywood
Is Maywood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maywood has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #610 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 Maywood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Maywood since 1982, $171K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Maywood 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 Maywood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maywood’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 Maywood?
By FEMA money that reached Maywood, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 3,835 households applied for aid, $14.2M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $28K.
Is Maywood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Maywood’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maywood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maywood’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.