Photo: AlphaBeta135 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, South Elgin faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Elgin gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #406 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 48 claims here since 1978.
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 South Elgin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Elgin 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 South Elgin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Elgin, and South Elgin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #406 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Elgin’s residents live in 8 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 Elgin has more expected damage per building than 53% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.6M a year in losses across South Elgin: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Elgin flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Elgin, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms8 claims · $144K
- Tropical Storm Erin2 claims · $12K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $12K
South Elgin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Kane County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Elgin
Disasters that paid out in South Elgin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Elgin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$15K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$59K to the Village of South Elgin for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding60 households applied for aid$119K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$28K to the Village of South Elgin for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$21K to the Village of South Elgin for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$13K to the Village of South Elgin for repairs
Kane County has had 13 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 Elgin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Elgin archive →South Elgin and its neighbors
South Elgin is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| St. Charles Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Elgin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| South Elgin | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Elgin Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Elgin 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.
- South Elgin residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in South Elgin
Is South Elgin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Elgin has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #406 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Elgin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in South Elgin since 1978, $618K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (8).
Is South Elgin 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 Kane County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Elgin?
South Elgin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Elgin?
By FEMA money that reached South Elgin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 60 households applied for aid, $119K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 8 paid, $144K.
Is South Elgin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and South Elgin’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Elgin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Elgin’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.