Photo: Anonymous · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wilmington than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #600 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 122 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 Wilmington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wilmington 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 Wilmington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilmington, and Wilmington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #600 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wilmington’s 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, Wilmington has more expected damage per building than 78% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Wilmington: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilmington flood? Yes: 122 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilmington, from FEMA’s records: 50.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $11K
Wilmington 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilmington
Disasters that paid out in Wilmington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wilmington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the City of Wilmington for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the City of Wilmington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$6K to the City of Wilmington for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$9K to the City of Wilmington for repairs
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 Wilmington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilmington archive →Wilmington and its neighbors
Wilmington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 122 |
| Wesley Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Custer Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lakewood Shores | — | 459 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wilmington Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Florence Township | — | 888 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Is Wilmington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmington has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #600 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilmington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 122 claims in Wilmington since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 50.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilmington’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 Wilmington?
By FEMA money that reached Wilmington, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $20K to the City of Wilmington for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Wilmington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Wilmington’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilmington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilmington’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.