Services > Community Development

OverviewBuilding DivisionEngineering DivisionForms and PermitsPermit Info and Requirements
Planning and ZoningPolicies Processes and ProceduresPublic Health Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Flooding - Flood Insurance

Click Here to go back to the Flooding Main Page

The Des Plaines River, Buffalo Creek, William Rogers Memorial Diversion Channel, and the McDonald Creek are beautiful assets that our residents enjoy. These bodies of water can unleash destructive forces, capable of destroying homes and their contents. However, all areas are susceptible to flooding to varying degrees. In fact, 25% of all flood claims occur in the low-to-moderate risk areas. Flooding can be caused by heavy rains, melting snow, by inadequate drainage systems, inadequate overland drainage swales, failed protective devices such as levees and dams, ice jams, as well as by tropical storms and hurricanes.

Residents can protect their homes against flooding in many ways. One option is to purchase low-cost flood insurance available through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Regular insurance policies do not cover damage due to floods since they are known hazards. If your house is located in a regulated flood plain (Special Flood Hazard Area), and is financed through a lending institution that is federally regulated or federally insured, then you are required to purchase flood insurance. Flood insurance may be purchased through your personal insurance agent or company. You can protect your home with flood insurance up to $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for its contents.

Myths and Facts of Flood Insurance