Photo: Keybdn at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, St. Charles faces less hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Charles gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #163 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 44 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 St. Charles’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. Charles 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 St. Charles’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Charles, and St. Charles’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #163 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Charles’ residents live in 11 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, St. Charles has less expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across St. Charles: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Charles flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Charles, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike10 claims · $141K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $9K
St. Charles 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 St. Charles
Disasters that paid out in St. Charles itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Charles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding56 households applied for aid$120K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$87K to the City of St. Charles for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding96 households applied for aid$270K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$66K to the City of St. Charles for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$40K to the City of St. Charles for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$53K to the City of St. Charles 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 St. Charles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Charles archive →St. Charles and its neighbors
St. Charles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Geneva Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| West Chicago | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Campton Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wayne | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| St. Charles | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Campton Hills | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| St. Charles Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
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 St. Charles 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.
- St. Charles 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 St. Charles
Is St. Charles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Charles has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #163 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Charles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in St. Charles since 1978, $463K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (10).
Is St. Charles 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 St. Charles?
St. Charles 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 St. Charles?
By FEMA money that reached St. Charles, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 96 households applied for aid, $270K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 10 paid, $141K.
Is St. Charles at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and St. Charles’ rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Charles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Charles’ 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.