On FEMA’s figures, Rich Township 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, Rich Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #395 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 125 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 stands out about Rich Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rich Township 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 Rich Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rich Township, and Rich Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #395 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rich Township’s residents live in 16 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, Rich Township has more expected damage per building than 51% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $40.0M a year in losses across Rich Township: $22.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rich Township flood? Yes: 125 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rich Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike6 claims · $57K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $21K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $4K
Rich Township 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rich Township
Disasters that paid out in Rich Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rich Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$1K to Rich Township 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 Rich Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rich Township archive →Rich Township and its neighbors
Rich Township is 5th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Frankfort Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Tinley Park | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Frankfort Square | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Rich Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Matteson | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Flossmoor | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Bloom Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 238 |
| Bremen Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 314 |
| Homewood | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 Rich Township 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 Rich Township
Is Rich Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rich Township has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #395 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rich Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 125 claims in Rich Township since 1978, $698K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (6).
Is Rich Township 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 Rich Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rich Township’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 Rich Township?
By FEMA money that reached Rich Township, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $1K to Rich Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 6 paid, $57K.
Is Rich Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Rich Township’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rich Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rich Township’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.