Photo: AlphaBeta135 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Aurora than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Aurora gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #78 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 North Aurora 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 North Aurora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Aurora, and North Aurora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #78 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Aurora’s 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, North Aurora has less expected damage per building than 90% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across North Aurora: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Aurora flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Aurora, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $11K
North Aurora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kane County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Aurora
Disasters that paid out in North Aurora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of North Aurora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding47 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to the Village of North Aurora for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$10K to the Village of North Aurora for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$8K to the Village of North Aurora for repairs
Kane County has had 13 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 North Aurora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Aurora archive →North Aurora and its neighbors
North Aurora 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Aurora | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Batavia | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Batavia Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Blackberry Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Aurora | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 207 |
| Aurora Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 246 |
| Sugar Grove Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 North Aurora 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 North Aurora
Is North Aurora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Aurora has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #78 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Aurora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in North Aurora since 1978, $54K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is North Aurora 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 Kane County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Aurora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Aurora’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 North Aurora?
By FEMA money that reached North Aurora, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 47 households applied for aid, $65K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $11K.
Is North Aurora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and North Aurora’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Aurora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Aurora’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.