Photo: DFHoulihan · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in River Forest Township
River Forest Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to River Forest Township yet. Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2008.
What River Forest 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.
Does River Forest Township flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Forest Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $11K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $240K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $352
River Forest 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to River Forest Township
Disasters that paid out in River Forest Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to River Forest Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng10 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$73K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding132 households applied for aid$213K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding53 households applied for aid$234K aid approved2 flood claims 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 River Forest Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Forest Township archive →River Forest Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melrose Park | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 374 |
| Forest Park | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| River Forest | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Maywood | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Proviso Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2,580 |
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 River Forest 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 River Forest Township
Does River Forest Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in River Forest Township since 2008, $375K in all. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is River Forest 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 River Forest Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for River Forest 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 River Forest Township?
By FEMA money that reached River Forest Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 53 households applied for aid, $234K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $11K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Forest Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Forest 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.