Photo: Mpen320 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Wood Dale than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wood Dale gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #107 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 207 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 Wood Dale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wood Dale 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
Earthquakes
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 Wood Dale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wood Dale, and Wood Dale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #107 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wood Dale’s residents live in 4 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, Wood Dale has less expected damage per building than 86% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Wood Dale: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wood Dale flood? Yes: 207 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wood Dale, from FEMA’s records: 38.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike45 claims · $2.1M
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $73K
Wood Dale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wood Dale
Disasters that paid out in Wood Dale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wood Dale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding32 households applied for aid$111K aid approved$13K to the City of Wood Dale for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the City of Wood Dale for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$98K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding110 households applied for aid$228K aid approved$58K to the City of Wood Dale for repairs45 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$12K to the City of Wood Dale for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$12K to the City of Wood Dale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Wood Dale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wood Dale archive →Wood Dale and its neighbors
Wood Dale is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itasca | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Elk Grove Village | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Addison | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| Wood Dale | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 207 |
| Bensenville | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
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 Wood Dale 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Wood Dale 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 Wood Dale
Is Wood Dale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wood Dale has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #107 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wood Dale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 207 claims in Wood Dale since 1978, $3.6M in all, or 38.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (45).
Is Wood Dale 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 Wood Dale?
Wood Dale 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 Wood Dale?
By FEMA money that reached Wood Dale, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 110 households applied for aid, $228K approved, and $58K to the City of Wood Dale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 45 paid, $2.1M.
Is Wood Dale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Wood Dale’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wood Dale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wood Dale’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.