Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Rockdale’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockdale gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1995.
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 Rockdale 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 Rockdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockdale, and Rockdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rockdale’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Rockdale: $716K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockdale flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockdale, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rockdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Will County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockdale
Disasters that paid out in Rockdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Rockdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng4 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Village of Rockdale for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$3K to the Village of Rockdale for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to the Village of Rockdale for repairs
Will County has had 16 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 Rockdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockdale archive →Rockdale and its neighbors
Rockdale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockdale | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Joliet | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 630 |
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 Rockdale 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 Rockdale
Is Rockdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockdale has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rockdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Rockdale since 1995, $11K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rockdale 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rockdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockdale’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 Rockdale?
By FEMA money that reached Rockdale, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 5 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Rockdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Rockdale’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockdale’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.