Photo: DFHoulihan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in River Forest than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Forest gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #602 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1987.
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 River Forest’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What River Forest 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 River Forest’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in River Forest, and River Forest’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #602 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
River Forest’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, River Forest has more expected damage per building than 78% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across River Forest: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does River Forest flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Forest, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $11K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $240K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $352
River Forest is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to River Forest
Disasters that paid out in River Forest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of River Forest), 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
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Village of River Forest for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding132 households applied for aid$213K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding53 households applied for aid$234K aid approved$77K to the Village of River Forest for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$71K to the Village of River Forest for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$14K to the Village of River Forest for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$14K to the Village of River Forest 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 River Forest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Forest archive →River Forest and its neighbors
River Forest is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| River Forest Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 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.
- River Forest residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in River Forest
Is River Forest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Forest has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #602 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does River Forest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in River Forest since 1987, $401K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is River Forest 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?
River Forest is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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?
By FEMA money that reached River Forest, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 53 households applied for aid, $234K approved, and $77K to the Village of River Forest for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $11K.
Is River Forest at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and River Forest’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Forest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Forest’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.