Photo: Aneekr at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Rosemont faces less hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosemont gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #112 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1979.
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 Rosemont’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rosemont 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
Earthquakes
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 Rosemont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rosemont, and Rosemont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #112 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rosemont’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, Rosemont has less expected damage per building than 86% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Rosemont: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rosemont flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rosemont, from FEMA’s records: 30.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $38K
Rosemont 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rosemont
Disasters that paid out in Rosemont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Rosemont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$74K to the Village of Rosemont for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$162K to the Village of Rosemont for repairs3 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 Rosemont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rosemont archive →Rosemont and its neighbors
Rosemont has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemont | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Maine Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,481 |
| Park Ridge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Des Plaines | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1,221 |
| Leyden Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 960 |
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 Rosemont 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Rosemont
Is Rosemont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosemont has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #112 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rosemont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Rosemont since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 30.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Rosemont 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 Rosemont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rosemont’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 Rosemont?
By FEMA money that reached Rosemont, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 17 households applied for aid, $110K approved, and $162K to the Village of Rosemont for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $38K.
Is Rosemont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Rosemont’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rosemont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rosemont’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.