FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Streamwood than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Streamwood gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #67 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Streamwood 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 Streamwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Streamwood, and Streamwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #67 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Streamwood’s residents live in 13 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, Streamwood has less expected damage per building than 91% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.1M a year in losses across Streamwood: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Streamwood flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Streamwood, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Streamwood 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 Streamwood
Disasters that paid out in Streamwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Streamwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng33 households applied for aid$125K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding50 households applied for aid$93K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$84K to the Village of Streamwood for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$37K to the Village of Streamwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$40K to the Village of Streamwood for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$54K to the Village of Streamwood for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$32K to the Village of Streamwood 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 Streamwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Streamwood archive →Streamwood and its neighbors
Streamwood is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoffman Estates | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| 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 |
| Bartlett | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Streamwood 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 Streamwood
Is Streamwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Streamwood has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #67 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Streamwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Streamwood since 1981, $33K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Streamwood 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 Streamwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Streamwood’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 Streamwood?
By FEMA money that reached Streamwood, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 36 households applied for aid, $93K approved, and $37K to the Village of Streamwood for repairs.
Is Streamwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Streamwood’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Streamwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Streamwood’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.