Photo: Kelly Martin · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Park Ridge faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Ridge gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #383 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 104 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 stands out about Park Ridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Park Ridge, and Park Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #383 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Park Ridge’s residents live in 13 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, Park Ridge has less expected damage per building than 50% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.7M a year in losses across Park Ridge: $11.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Park Ridge flood? Yes: 104 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Park Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms18 claims · $255K
- Hurricane Ike11 claims · $186K
Park Ridge 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Park Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Park Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Park Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng10 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding730 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved27 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$75K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding692 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$201K to the City of Park Ridge for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$196K to the City of Park Ridge for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$26K to the City of Park Ridge for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$54K to the City of Park Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Park Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Park Ridge archive →Park Ridge and its neighbors
Park Ridge is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemont | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Norwood Park Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Niles | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Maine Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,481 |
| Park Ridge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Des Plaines | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1,221 |
| Leyden Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 960 |
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 Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge
Is Park Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #383 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Park Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 104 claims in Park Ridge since 1979, $1.8M in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (18).
Is Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Park Ridge’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 Park Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Park Ridge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 692 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $201K to the City of Park Ridge for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 18 paid, $255K.
Is Park Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Park Ridge’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Park Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Park Ridge’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.