On FEMA’s figures, South Chicago Heights faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Chicago Heights gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #8 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2003.
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 South Chicago Heights 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 South Chicago Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Chicago Heights, and South Chicago Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 23% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #8 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Chicago Heights’ 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, South Chicago Heights has less expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across South Chicago Heights: $635K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Chicago Heights flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Chicago Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Chicago Heights 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 South Chicago Heights
Disasters that paid out in South Chicago Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Chicago Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng22 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding42 households applied for aid$81K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Village of South Chicago Heights for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$4K to the Village of South Chicago Heights for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to the Village of South Chicago Heights 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 South Chicago Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Chicago Heights archive →South Chicago Heights and its neighbors
South Chicago Heights has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Chicago Heights | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Steger | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Chicago Heights | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
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 South Chicago Heights 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 South Chicago Heights
Is South Chicago Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Chicago Heights has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #8 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Chicago Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Chicago Heights since 2003, $4K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Chicago Heights 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 South Chicago Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Chicago Heights’ 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 South Chicago Heights?
By FEMA money that reached South Chicago Heights, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 42 households applied for aid, $81K approved.
Is South Chicago Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and South Chicago Heights’ rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Chicago Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Chicago Heights’ 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.