Ephraim Smith House · Photo: IvoShandor · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Sugar Grove’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sugar Grove gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #149 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
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 Sugar Grove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sugar Grove 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 Sugar Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sugar Grove, and Sugar Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #149 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sugar Grove’s residents live in 3 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, Sugar Grove has less expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Sugar Grove: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sugar Grove flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sugar Grove, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sugar Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Kane County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sugar Grove
Disasters that paid out in Sugar Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sugar Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$33K to the Village of Sugar Grove for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$5K to the Village of Sugar Grove for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to the Village of Sugar Grove 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 Sugar Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sugar Grove archive →Sugar Grove and its neighbors
Sugar Grove is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Sugar Grove 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.
- Sugar Grove residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sugar Grove
Is Sugar Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sugar Grove has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #149 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 Sugar Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sugar Grove since 1979, $5K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sugar Grove 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 Sugar Grove?
Sugar Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Sugar Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Sugar Grove, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $33K to the Village of Sugar Grove for repairs.
Is Sugar Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Sugar Grove’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sugar Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sugar Grove’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.