FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Merrionette Park than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merrionette Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Merrionette Park 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
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 Merrionette Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Merrionette Park, and Merrionette Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Merrionette Park’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Merrionette Park: $818K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Merrionette Park flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Merrionette Park, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Merrionette Park 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Merrionette Park
Disasters that paid out in Merrionette Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Merrionette Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$1K to the Village of Merrionette Park for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the Village of Merrionette Park 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 Merrionette Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Merrionette Park archive →Merrionette Park and its neighbors
Merrionette Park is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Worth Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Merrionette Park | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Merrionette Park 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.
- 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 Merrionette Park
Is Merrionette Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merrionette Park has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Merrionette Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Merrionette Park since 1979, $1K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Merrionette Park 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 Merrionette Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Merrionette Park’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 Merrionette Park?
By FEMA money that reached Merrionette Park, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 18 households applied for aid, $58K approved.
Is Merrionette Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Merrionette Park’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Merrionette Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Merrionette Park’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.