FEMA puts Steger’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steger gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #117 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1981.
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 Steger 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 Steger’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Steger, and Steger’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #117 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Steger’s residents live in 5 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, Steger has less expected damage per building than 85% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Steger: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Steger flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Steger, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $7K
Steger isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Will County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Steger
Disasters that paid out in Steger itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Steger), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng129 households applied for aid$317K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$104K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding91 households applied for aid$251K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding67 households applied for aid$124K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Village of Steger for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding48 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$3K to the Village of Steger for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$18K to the Village of Steger for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$14K to the Village of Steger for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$14K to the Village of Steger for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 26 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 Steger after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Steger archive →Steger and its neighbors
Steger is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Crete | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Crete Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Bloom Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 238 |
| Sauk Village | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Steger 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 Steger
Is Steger at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steger has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #117 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Steger flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Steger since 1981, $269K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Steger 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Steger?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Steger’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 Steger?
By FEMA money that reached Steger, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 129 households applied for aid, $317K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Steger at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Steger’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Steger.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Steger’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.