# Look up flood zones in Illinois Chicago Cityscape has three flooding-related datasets: 1. Special flood hazard areas - defined by FEMA, for all of Illinois 2. MWRD inundation area - administered by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago 3. Flood susceptibility index - calculated by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for the Chicago region ## Look it up Flooding information starts with a Property Report. 1. First, [look up any address in Illinois](http://chicagocityscape.com/address.php). 2. Then, under "Additional Snapshots", select the "Environmental Snapshot" link. 3. In the Environmental Snapshot, click on the "Load flood guidance" button. One or more of our three flooding-related datasets will be checked, depending on the location of the address you looked up (see screenshot 1). Environmental Snapshot is where all of our environmental-related data lives: flooding, trees, solar incentives, and environmental inspections and permits in Chicago. ![[Pasted image 20240701022244.png]] *Screenshot 1 showing the three flood-related data in the Chicago Cityscape Environmental Snapshot.* ## Each dataset explained ### 1. Special flood hazard areas "A Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is an area identified by the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an area with a special flood or mudflow, and/or flood related erosion hazard, as shown on a flood hazard boundary map or flood insurance rate map." [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Flood_Hazard_Area) These maps are maintained and updated by individual counties. ### 2. MWRD inundation area Inundation areas are where the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) expects flooding during a rainfall event that has a 1% chance of happening each year. This area may differ from the Special Flood Hazard Areas. ### 3. Flood susceptibility index The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the 7-county Chicago region, "has developed urban and riverine flood susceptibility indexes (FSI) to identify priority areas across the region for flood mitigation activities. Locations highlighted in the FSI may be more susceptible to riverine or urban flooding than other parts of the region. Streets and buildings within these areas could be more susceptible to overbank flooding, surface ponding, overland flow, water seepage, and basement backups due to the presence of flood-related physical conditions that are correlated with reported flood damages." [CMAP](https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/programs/water/stormwater/flood-index) ## Further reading - [Can Sponge Cities Save Us from the Coming Floods?](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/04/13/can-sponge-cities-save-us-from-the-coming-floods) (April 13, 2026) - Explores how cities are using parks and green infrastructure instead of walls to absorb floodwater as climate change intensifies rainfall. (article by Eric Klinenberg - [Flooding in Chicago is getting worse. Here's why.](https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/04/10/flooding-chicago-climate-change-deep-tunnel-mold-metropolitan-water-reclamation-district-soaked) (April 10, 2026) - Chicago's sewers can't keep up with intensifying storms, hitting Austin hardest while green alleys offer a slow, expensive fix. (article by Brett Chase)