Photo: Teemu08 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Western Springs than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Western Springs gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #680 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Western Springs 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 Western Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Western Springs, and Western Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #680 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Western Springs’ residents live in 5 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, Western Springs has more expected damage per building than 89% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.9M a year in losses across Western Springs: $7.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Western Springs flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Western Springs, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $5K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $14K
Western Springs 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Western Springs
Disasters that paid out in Western Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Western Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng2 households applied for aid$600 aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$29K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Village of Western Springs for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$18K to the Village of Western Springs for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$22K to the Village of Western Springs 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 Western Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Western Springs archive →Western Springs and its neighbors
Western Springs is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinsdale | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Lyons Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 185 |
| Indian Head Park | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Proviso Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2,580 |
| Western Springs | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Western Springs 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 Western Springs
Is Western Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Western Springs has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #680 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Western Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Western Springs since 1980, $160K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Western Springs 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 Western Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Western Springs’ 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 Western Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Western Springs, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 42 households applied for aid, $45K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Western Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Western Springs’ rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Western Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Western Springs’ 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.