Photo: Kingkevy · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Winfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winfield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #430 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 58 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 Winfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Winfield 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 Winfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winfield, and Winfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #430 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winfield’s residents live in 8 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, Winfield has more expected damage per building than 56% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Winfield: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winfield flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winfield, from FEMA’s records: 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms12 claims · $404K
- Hurricane Ike10 claims · $194K
Winfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winfield
Disasters that paid out in Winfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Winfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$9K to the Village of Winfield for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Village of Winfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$35K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$20K to the Village of Winfield for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$7K to the Village of Winfield for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$17K to the Village of Winfield for repairs
DuPage County has had 13 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 Winfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winfield archive →Winfield and its neighbors
Winfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carol Stream | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Milton Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 362 |
| Wheaton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 152 |
| Winfield Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Winfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
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 Winfield 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 Winfield
Is Winfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winfield has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #430 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Winfield since 1978, $842K in all, or 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (12).
Is Winfield 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winfield’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 Winfield?
By FEMA money that reached Winfield, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 62 households applied for aid, $138K approved, and $9K to the Village of Winfield for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 12 paid, $404K.
Is Winfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Winfield’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winfield’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.