FEMA puts Posen’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Posen gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #758 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1981.
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 Posen 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
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 Posen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Posen, and Posen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #758 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Posen’s residents live in 2 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, Posen has more expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Posen: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Posen flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Posen, from FEMA’s records: 26.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike6 claims · $12K
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $21K
Posen 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 Posen
Disasters that paid out in Posen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Posen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng54 households applied for aid$163K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding50 households applied for aid$142K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding113 households applied for aid$318K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding107 households applied for aid$145K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Village of Posen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding73 households applied for aid$140K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding85 households applied for aid$86K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$11K to the Village of Posen for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$12K to the Village of Posen 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 Posen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Posen archive →Posen and its neighbors
Posen is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremen Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 314 |
| Markham | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Thornton Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2,023 |
| Blue Island | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Harvey | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 381 |
| Dixmoor | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Posen | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
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 Posen 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.
- 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 Posen
Is Posen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Posen has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #758 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Posen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Posen since 1981, $136K in all, or 26.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (6).
Is Posen 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 Posen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Posen’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 Posen?
By FEMA money that reached Posen, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 113 households applied for aid, $318K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 6 paid, $12K.
Is Posen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Posen’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Posen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Posen’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.