Be a Hero: How to Make Your Chicagoland Home Resistant to Natural Disasters

Natural disasters strike Chicagoland homes more often than many homeowners realize. Floods, fires, tornadoes, and even small earthquakes can cause catastrophic damage, but much of it can be prevented with smart preparation.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve seen what happens when homes are vulnerable—and what happens when they’re ready. In this updated guide, you’ll learn actionable steps to help safeguard your family, property, and peace of mind.

Know the Risks: What Threatens Homes in Chicagoland

According to FEMA, Cook County has one of the highest disaster risk ratings in the country. Here are the most common threats:

• Flooding: Lakefront proximity, aging sewer systems, and intense rain events make basement floods a recurring issue.
• Tornadoes: Illinois ranks high for tornado frequency. Cook and Lake counties are especially prone to high-wind events.
• Fires: Both house fires and wildfires (from forested suburban edges) threaten structures each summer.
• Earthquakes: While rare, minor tremors have occurred, and the USGS still includes Illinois in its seismic preparedness guidelines.

Flood-Proofing Your Property

Protect your home from water intrusion with these essential upgrades:

• Know your property’s floodplain level and get flood insurance if needed.
• Install backflow prevention valves on all drains.
• Elevate electrical systems and appliances above the potential flood level.
• Use water alarms and sump pump backups with battery or generator power.

Basement flooding is especially common in low-lying areas like Skokie, Deerfield, and Riverwoods, where stormwater systems can be overwhelmed during heavy rains.

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Fire Safety That Goes Beyond Smoke Alarms

Preparedness saves homes—and lives:

• Know how to shut off your home’s natural gas line.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
• Replace worn extension cords and avoid overloading outlets.
• Create defensible space around your property: clear brush, clean gutters, and store combustibles safely.
• Use fire-rated building materials when upgrading siding, roofing, and insulation.

Homes near forested areas in Northbrook, Glenview, and Lake Bluff should have clear, dry landscaping and brush to minimize fire risk.

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Tornado-Ready? You Should Be.

FEMA scores the Chicago Metro area at 99.97/100 for tornado risk. Prepare your home:

• Reinforce garage doors, entry doors, and windows with impact-resistant materials.
• Anchor roof trusses to the foundation using hurricane straps.
• Secure large outdoor furniture and remove dead trees or limbs.
• Designate an interior safe room or basement space with emergency supplies.

Neighborhoods across Wilmette, Evanston, and Highland Park experience regular high-wind advisories. Many older homes in these towns lack the structural bracing needed to withstand tornado-strength gusts.

Earthquake-Resilient Basics for Midwest Homes

Even minor tremors can damage unbraced systems:

• Secure water heaters, bookcases, and heavy furniture to the wall studs.
• Use latches on cabinets and drawers.
• Anchor masonry chimneys and reinforce cripple walls with sheathing and anchor bolts.

Even homes in quieter suburbs like Winnetka or Glencoe benefit from basic seismic retrofitting, especially older properties with masonry foundations.

What to Do When Disaster Strikes Anyway

Even if you prepare perfectly, disaster can still happen. When it does, call the local experts who have helped thousands of families across Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties.

🔧 Contact ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for help with:

• Water & Flood Damage Cleanup
• Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
• Storm Cleanup & Structural Drying
• Mold Remediation

We respond 24/7 and help you navigate insurance, damage documentation, and recovery.

About the Author

Sam Simon is an IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer and co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset. With 30+ years of field experience and deep knowledge of Chicago-area disasters, Sam leads the award-winning team at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons—trusted since 1929.