Photo: Thshriver · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in River Grove than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Grove gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #495 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 115 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 stands out about River Grove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What River Grove 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 Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in River Grove, and River Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #495 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
River Grove’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 Grove has more expected damage per building than 64% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across River Grove: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does River Grove flood? Yes: 115 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Grove, from FEMA’s records: 25.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike41 claims · $1.6M
- The Mid-spring storms36 claims · $938K
River Grove 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 River Grove
Disasters that paid out in River Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of River Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng11 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$85K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding213 households applied for aid$353K aid approved37 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Village of River Grove for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding70 households applied for aid$156K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding183 households applied for aid$434K aid approved$84K to the Village of River Grove for repairs42 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the Village of River Grove for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$33K to the Village of River Grove for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$26K to the Village of River Grove 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 Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Grove archive →River Grove and its neighbors
River Grove is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood Park | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| River Grove | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Melrose Park | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 374 |
| Franklin Park | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 257 |
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 Grove 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 Grove
Is River Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Grove has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #495 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does River Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 115 claims in River Grove since 1981, $3.0M in all, or 25.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (41).
Is River Grove 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 Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for River Grove’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 Grove?
By FEMA money that reached River Grove, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 183 households applied for aid, $434K approved, and $84K to the Village of River Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 41 paid, $1.6M.
Is River Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and River Grove’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Grove’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.