Photo: bogdanstepniak · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Schaumburg faces less hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schaumburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #114 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Schaumburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Schaumburg, and Schaumburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #114 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Schaumburg’s residents live in 27 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, Schaumburg has less expected damage per building than 85% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.0M a year in losses across Schaumburg: $13.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Schaumburg flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Schaumburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $17K
Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg
Disasters that paid out in Schaumburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Schaumburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng25 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$205K to the Village of Schaumburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding77 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$40K to the Village of Schaumburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$138K to the Village of Schaumburg for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$88K to the Village of Schaumburg for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$117K to the Village of Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Schaumburg archive →Schaumburg and its neighbors
Schaumburg is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roselle | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Hoffman Estates | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Elk Grove Village | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Streamwood | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hanover Park | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Schaumburg | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Palatine | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Rolling Meadows | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg
Is Schaumburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schaumburg has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #114 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Schaumburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Schaumburg since 1979, $322K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Schaumburg’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 Schaumburg?
By FEMA money that reached Schaumburg, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $205K to the Village of Schaumburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Schaumburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Schaumburg’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Schaumburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Schaumburg’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.