Photo: YourJudge · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Buffalo Grove as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buffalo Grove gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #352 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1979.
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 Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buffalo Grove, and Buffalo Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #352 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buffalo Grove’s residents live in 19 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, Buffalo Grove has less expected damage per building than 54% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.2M a year in losses across Buffalo Grove: $13.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buffalo Grove flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buffalo Grove, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Buffalo Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lake County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buffalo Grove
Disasters that paid out in Buffalo Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Buffalo Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$16K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$15K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$4K to the Village of Buffalo Grove for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Village of Buffalo Grove for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$43K to the Village of Buffalo Grove for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$42K to the Village of Buffalo Grove for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 25 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 Buffalo Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buffalo Grove archive →Buffalo Grove and its neighbors
Buffalo Grove is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Hills | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Long Grove | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Arlington Heights | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Buffalo Grove | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Riverwoods | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Lincolnshire | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Wheeling | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
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 Buffalo Grove 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.
- Buffalo Grove residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Buffalo Grove
Is Buffalo Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buffalo Grove has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #352 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buffalo Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Buffalo Grove since 1979, $72K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Buffalo Grove 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 Lake County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buffalo Grove?
Buffalo Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Buffalo Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Buffalo Grove, Illinois Winter Snow Storms (2000): $43K to the Village of Buffalo Grove for repairs.
Is Buffalo Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Buffalo Grove’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buffalo Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buffalo Grove’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.