FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in York Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, York Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #224 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 516 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 York Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What York Township 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 York Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in York Township, and York Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B #224 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
York Township’s residents live in 32 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, York Township has less expected damage per building than 71% of Illinois towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, York Township has lower expected damage per building than 73% (#109 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $53.7M, is the 226th largest of those 400.
Does York Township flood? Yes: 516 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in York Township, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms99 claims · $6.8M
- Hurricane Ike10 claims · $145K
York Township 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.The storms York Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for DuPage County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching York Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 1987187 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for DuPage County
- 201399 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for DuPage County
- 201050 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for DuPage County
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 York Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the York Township archive →York Township and its neighbors
York Township is 6th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westmont | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Oak Brook | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Villa Park | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Downers Grove Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 210 |
| Addison Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 845 |
| York Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 516 |
| Milton Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 362 |
| Berkeley | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hinsdale | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Elmhurst | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 248 |
| Proviso Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2,580 |
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 York Township 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 York Township
Is York Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, York Township has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #224 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does York Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 516 claims in York Township since 1978, $14.8M in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (99).
Is York Township 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 York Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for York Township’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 York Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 99 paid, $6.8M.
Is York Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and York Township’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in York Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where York Township’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.