Elmwood Cemetery Gates · Photo: Andy McMurray · CC BY 2.5FEMA puts Sycamore’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sycamore gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #154 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 74 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 Sycamore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sycamore 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 Sycamore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sycamore, and Sycamore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #154 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sycamore’s residents live in 6 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, Sycamore has less expected damage per building than 80% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Sycamore: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sycamore flood? Sometimes: 74 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sycamore, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike7 claims · $88K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $20K
Sycamore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sycamore
Disasters that paid out in Sycamore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sycamore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$46K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the City of Sycamore for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding96 households applied for aid$263K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding170 households applied for aid$906K aid approved$16K to the City of Sycamore for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$27K to the City of Sycamore for repairs
DeKalb County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sycamore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sycamore archive →Sycamore and its neighbors
Sycamore has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| DeKalb | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Sycamore Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Mayfield Township | — | 851 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Sycamore 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.
- Sycamore residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sycamore
Is Sycamore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sycamore has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #154 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sycamore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 74 claims in Sycamore since 1979, $687K in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (7).
Is Sycamore 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 DeKalb County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sycamore?
Sycamore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Sycamore?
By FEMA money that reached Sycamore, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 170 households applied for aid, $906K approved, and $16K to the City of Sycamore for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 7 paid, $88K.
Is Sycamore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Sycamore’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sycamore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sycamore’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.