Photo: Ron Cogswell · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Barrington faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barrington gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #77 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Barrington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Barrington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Barrington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barrington, and Barrington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #77 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Barrington’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Barrington has less expected damage per building than 90% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Barrington: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barrington flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Barrington, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $27K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $74K
Barrington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cook County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barrington
Disasters that paid out in Barrington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Barrington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng3 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$36K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$5K to the Village of Barrington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$41K to the Village of Barrington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$25K to the Village of Barrington for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$15K to the Village of Barrington for repairs
Cook County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Barrington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barrington archive →Barrington and its neighbors
Barrington is 3rd of the 8 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Inverness | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Barrington | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Ela Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Deer Park | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Palatine Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Barrington Hills | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Cuba Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Barrington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Barrington
Is Barrington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barrington has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #77 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Barrington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Barrington since 1978, $340K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Barrington in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Cook County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Barrington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Barrington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Barrington?
By FEMA money that reached Barrington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 16 households applied for aid, $19K approved, and $41K to the Village of Barrington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Barrington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Barrington’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barrington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barrington’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.