Photo: Wiszo8 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Sauk Village faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sauk Village gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #653 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Sauk Village 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 Sauk Village’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sauk Village, and Sauk Village’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #653 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sauk Village’s residents live in 4 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, Sauk Village has more expected damage per building than 85% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Sauk Village: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sauk Village flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sauk Village, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike4 claims · $15K
Sauk Village 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sauk Village
Disasters that paid out in Sauk Village itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sauk Village), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng345 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding159 households applied for aid$411K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding517 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding393 households applied for aid$664K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Village of Sauk Village for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding428 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding333 households applied for aid$475K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Village of Sauk Village for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$9K to the Village of Sauk Village for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$9K to the Village of Sauk Village 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 Sauk Village after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sauk Village archive →Sauk Village and its neighbors
Sauk Village is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Heights | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| Steger | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Sauk Village | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lynwood | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Sauk Village 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 Sauk Village
Is Sauk Village at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sauk Village has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #653 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sauk Village flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Sauk Village since 1987, $37K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (4).
Is Sauk Village 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 Sauk Village?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sauk Village’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 Sauk Village?
By FEMA money that reached Sauk Village, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 517 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 4 paid, $15K.
Is Sauk Village at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Sauk Village’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sauk Village.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sauk Village’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.