On FEMA’s figures, Boulder Hill faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boulder Hill gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #542 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1996.
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 Boulder Hill 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 Boulder Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boulder Hill, and Boulder Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #542 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boulder Hill’s residents live in 3 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, Boulder Hill has more expected damage per building than 71% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Boulder Hill: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boulder Hill flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boulder Hill, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Boulder Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kendall County.The storms Boulder Hill remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Kendall County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Boulder Hill itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20193 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Kendall County
- 19971 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Kendall County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Boulder Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boulder Hill archive →Boulder Hill and its neighbors
Boulder Hill is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Montgomery | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 121 |
| Boulder Hill | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Boulder Hill 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 Boulder Hill
Is Boulder Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boulder Hill has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #542 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boulder Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Boulder Hill since 1996, $94K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Boulder Hill 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 Kendall County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boulder Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boulder Hill’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 Boulder Hill?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Boulder Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Boulder Hill’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boulder Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boulder Hill’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.