Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 60421, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Elwood, IL (60421) are Inland Flooding, Tornado, and Cold Wave. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Drought compared to national averages.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$2,196,838

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 60421

85.2Score

Relatively High compared to US average

60421
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Tornado

$512,888

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 60421

85.3Score

Relatively High compared to US average

60421
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Cold Wave

$407,885

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 60421

86.4Score

Relatively High compared to US average

60421
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$2,196,838
Score: 85.2
MAJOR DRIVER
Tornado
$512,888
Score: 85.3
MAJOR DRIVER
Cold Wave
$407,885
Score: 86.4
Earthquake
$93,275
Score: 63.1
Heat Wave
$49,908
Score: 41.4
Lightning
$9,337
Score: 30.7
Strong Wind
$6,902
Score: 19.7
Hail
$5,648
Score: 37.1
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Drought
$5,306
Score: 82.2
Ice Storm
$4,736
Score: 35.6
Winter Weather
$4,088
Score: 48.6
Wildfire
$3,788
Score: 72.2
Hurricane
$337
Score: 22.0
Landslide
$129
Score: 79.2

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 85.2
🌪️High Investment

Tornado Mitigation

Reinforce garage doors and consider a FEMA-approved safe room or storm cellar.

Risk Score: 85.3
🏠Low Investment

Cold Wave Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 86.4
🏠Low Investment

Drought Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 82.2

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 60436Zip Code 60481Zip Code 60433Zip Code 60442Zip Code 60410Zip Code 60451