Photo: vx700 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Summit than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summit gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #535 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 Summit 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 Summit’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Summit, and Summit’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C #535 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Summit’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, Summit has more expected damage per building than 70% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Summit: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Summit flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Summit, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Summit 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Summit
Disasters that paid out in Summit itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Summit), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng7 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Village of Summit for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding181 households applied for aid$545K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$6K to the Village of Summit for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$12K to the Village of Summit 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 Summit after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Summit archive →Summit and its neighbors
Summit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| Summit | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lyons Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 185 |
| Stickney Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Lyons | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Bedford Park | — | 586 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| McCook | — | 268 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Forest View | — | 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 Summit 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 Summit
Is Summit at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summit has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #535 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Summit flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Summit since 1980, $19K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Summit 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 Summit?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Summit’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 Summit?
By FEMA money that reached Summit, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 181 households applied for aid, $545K approved.
Is Summit at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Summit’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Summit.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Summit’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.