Water Damage Restoration in Chicago, IL

First Steps for Water in a Home in Chicago

• Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
• Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
• Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.

How Often Chicago Floods

The 9 Illinois counties of the Chicago metro area logged flooding on 133 days from 2016 to 2025 (470 NOAA reports), July most often.

At the Chicago Midway Airport gauge, May is the wettest month with 4.1 inches on average.

Freezing Nights in Chicago

Chicago averages 97 nights a year at or below 32°F (Chicago Northerly Island station). About 35 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 47 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 9 Illinois counties of the Chicago metro area from 2016 to 2025.

Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).

Storms and Disasters in Chicago

The 9 Illinois counties of the Chicago metro area were named in 3 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).

Notable NOAA storm reports

• July 27, 2026: Thunderstorm wind, 104 mph gust (Will County)A wind gust to 104 mph was measured at Bult Field. Extensive tree and structure damage was reported.
• March 10, 2026: Hail, 4.8 inch hail (DuPage County)Scattered severe thunderstorms produced numerous tornadoes and large to giant hail as they moved across northern Illinois during the late afternoon and evening of March 10th.
• August 17, 2025: Flash flood (Cook County)Roughly 40,000 structures sustained flood damage around the city of Chicago. The greatest impacts were felt across the southwest side near and east of Midway Airport, but reports came in from all across the city.
• July 2, 2023: Flash flood (Cook County)Throughout much of central Cook County including Chicago and nearby suburbs, very heavy rainfall caused widespread flash flooding of roadways and structures.
• June 20, 2021: Tornado, EF3 (Cook County)A tornado which touched down in Naperville and moved across far southern DuPage County crossed into Cook County near 83rd Street.

Federal disaster declarations

• September 20, 2024: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And FloodngFlood, FEMA DR-4819
• November 20, 2023: Severe Storms And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4749
• August 15, 2023: Severe Storms And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4728

Chicago Housing at a Glance

Census figures for the city of Chicago (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 1,277,054 housing units, a median build year of 1953, 75% built before 1980, 68% before 1970, 46% owner occupied.

Illinois Insurance Help for Water Claims

Claim problems in Illinois go to the Illinois Department of Insurance.

Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Chicago flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.

Restoration Cost Guide for Chicago

Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.

Areas Served Around Chicago

The same 24/7 line covers the Chicago metro area, including:

• Chicago
• Aurora
• Naperville
• Joliet
• Elgin
• Waukegan
• Cicero
• Schaumburg
• Evanston
• Arlington Heights
• Bolingbrook
• Palatine

Water damage restoration in all cities

Questions

When is the first freeze in Chicago?

The median first night at or below 32°F is November 5 and the median last is April 10 at the Chicago Northerly Island station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).

Does Illinois license mold assessment or remediation?

Illinois passed the Mold Remediation Registration Act, but the Department of Public Health says registration is not in effect until its rules are adopted (Illinois Department of Public Health, mold remediation registration).

How fast does mold start?

Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).