Photo: Mythicmeadows · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Montgomery’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montgomery gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #507 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 121 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 Montgomery’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Montgomery 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 Montgomery’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montgomery, and Montgomery’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #507 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Montgomery’s residents live in 8 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, Montgomery has more expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.3M a year in losses across Montgomery: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montgomery flood? Yes: 121 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montgomery, from FEMA’s records: 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms13 claims · $183K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $45K
Montgomery is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Kendall County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montgomery
Disasters that paid out in Montgomery itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Montgomery), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding138 households applied for aid$314K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$11K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$10K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Montgomery after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montgomery archive →Montgomery and its neighbors
Montgomery is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 207 |
| Oswego | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Yorkville | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Montgomery | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 121 |
| Boulder Hill | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Montgomery 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.
- Montgomery residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Montgomery
Is Montgomery at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montgomery has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #507 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montgomery flood?
Flood insurance has paid 121 claims in Montgomery since 1978, $2.7M in all, or 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (13).
Is Montgomery 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 Kendall County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montgomery?
Montgomery is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Montgomery?
By FEMA money that reached Montgomery, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 138 households applied for aid, $314K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 13 paid, $183K.
Is Montgomery at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Montgomery’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montgomery.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montgomery’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.