Photo: NS Zakeruga at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Oakbrook Terrace faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakbrook Terrace gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #33 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Oakbrook Terrace 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
Earthquakes
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 Oakbrook Terrace’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakbrook Terrace, and Oakbrook Terrace’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #33 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakbrook Terrace’s residents live in 3 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, Oakbrook Terrace has less expected damage per building than 96% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $976K a year in losses across Oakbrook Terrace: $570K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oakbrook Terrace flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakbrook Terrace, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $11K
Oakbrook Terrace isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oakbrook Terrace
Disasters that paid out in Oakbrook Terrace itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oakbrook Terrace), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$16K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the City of Oakbrook Terrace for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$59K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$8K to the City of Oakbrook Terrace for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$8K to the City of Oakbrook Terrace for repairs
DuPage 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 Oakbrook Terrace after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakbrook Terrace archive →Oakbrook Terrace and its neighbors
Oakbrook Terrace has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakbrook Terrace | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Oak Brook | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Villa Park | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Lombard | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Elmhurst | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 248 |
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 Oakbrook Terrace 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Oakbrook Terrace
Is Oakbrook Terrace at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakbrook Terrace has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #33 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakbrook Terrace flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Oakbrook Terrace since 1979, $105K in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Oakbrook Terrace 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oakbrook Terrace?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oakbrook Terrace’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 Oakbrook Terrace?
By FEMA money that reached Oakbrook Terrace, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 19 households applied for aid, $59K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Oakbrook Terrace at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Oakbrook Terrace’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakbrook Terrace.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakbrook Terrace’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.