Photo: bogdanstepniak · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Wheeling’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeling gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #539 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 143 claims here since 1978.
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 Wheeling’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wheeling 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 Wheeling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheeling, and Wheeling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
C #539 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wheeling’s residents live in 11 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, Wheeling has more expected damage per building than 70% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.9M a year in losses across Wheeling: $12.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheeling flood? Yes: 143 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheeling, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike9 claims · $115K
- The Mid-spring storms8 claims · $142K
Wheeling is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wheeling
Disasters that paid out in Wheeling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wheeling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding67 households applied for aid$255K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Village of Wheeling for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$15K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$57K to the Village of Wheeling for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the Village of Wheeling for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$16K to the Village of Wheeling for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$37K to the Village of Wheeling for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Wheeling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheeling archive →Wheeling and its neighbors
Wheeling is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| Arlington Heights | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Buffalo Grove | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Northfield Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 333 |
| Northbrook | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Wheeling Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 378 |
| Wheeling | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
| Prospect Heights | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
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 Wheeling 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.
- Wheeling residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Wheeling
Is Wheeling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeling has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #539 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wheeling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 143 claims in Wheeling since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (9).
Is Wheeling 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 Wheeling?
Wheeling is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Wheeling?
By FEMA money that reached Wheeling, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 67 households applied for aid, $255K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 9 paid, $115K.
Is Wheeling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Wheeling’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheeling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheeling’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.