FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in University Park as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Park gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #336 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 University Park 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 University Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in University Park, and University Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #336 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
University Park’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, University Park has less expected damage per building than 56% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across University Park: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does University Park flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in University Park, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
University Park 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to University Park
Disasters that paid out in University Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of University Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng251 households applied for aid$941K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding247 households applied for aid$516K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding199 households applied for aid$271K aid approved
Will County has had 16 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 University Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the University Park archive →University Park and its neighbors
University Park is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monee | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Crete | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| University Park | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Park Forest | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Richton Park | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 University Park 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 University Park
Is University Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Park has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #336 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does University Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in University Park since 1981, $2K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is University Park 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 University Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for University Park’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 University Park?
By FEMA money that reached University Park, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 251 households applied for aid, $941K approved.
Is University Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and University Park’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in University Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where University Park’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.