Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Oak Park faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Park gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #619 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
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 Oak 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
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 Oak Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oak Park, and Oak Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #619 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oak Park’s residents live in 14 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, Oak Park has more expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $30.2M a year in losses across Oak Park: $18.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oak Park flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oak Park, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oak 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oak Park
Disasters that paid out in Oak Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Oak Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng97 households applied for aid$92K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding530 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding146 households applied for aid$183K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$133K to the Village of Oak Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding537 households applied for aid$983K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding54 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$61K to the Village of Oak Park for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$83K to the Village of Oak Park for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$88K to the Village of Oak 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 Oak Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oak Park archive →Oak Park and its neighbors
Oak Park is 2nd of the 2 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 |
| Oak Park | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oak Park 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 Oak 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.
- 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 Oak Park
Is Oak Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Park has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #619 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oak Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Oak Park since 1997, $2K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oak 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 Oak Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oak 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 Oak Park?
By FEMA money that reached Oak Park, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 530 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved.
Is Oak Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Oak Park’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oak Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oak 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.