Photo: Miroslaw Mucha · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Niles than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niles gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #207 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 58 claims here since 1987.
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 Niles’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Niles 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 Niles’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Niles, and Niles’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B #207 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Niles’ residents live in 10 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, Niles has less expected damage per building than 73% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.7M a year in losses across Niles: $7.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Niles flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Niles, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms14 claims · $322K
- Hurricane Ike5 claims · $322K
Niles is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Niles
Disasters that paid out in Niles itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Niles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng11 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$84K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$108K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding507 households applied for aid$815K aid approved31 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$100K to the Village of Niles for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding624 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$85K to the Village of Niles for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$66K to the Village of Niles for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$37K to the Village of Niles for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$48K to the Village of Niles 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 Niles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Niles archive →Niles and its neighbors
Niles has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niles | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Skokie | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 240 |
| Niles Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 313 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Park Ridge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Morton Grove | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Glenview | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
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 Niles 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.
- Niles 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 Niles
Is Niles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niles has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #207 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Niles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Niles since 1987, $2.0M in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (14).
Is Niles 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 Niles?
Niles 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 Niles?
By FEMA money that reached Niles, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 624 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $85K to the Village of Niles for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 14 paid, $322K.
Is Niles at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Niles’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Niles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Niles’ 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.