Photo: Smallbones · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Carpentersville than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carpentersville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #27 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1999.
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 Carpentersville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carpentersville 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 Carpentersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carpentersville, and Carpentersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #27 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carpentersville’s residents live in 9 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, Carpentersville has less expected damage per building than 97% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.3M a year in losses across Carpentersville: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carpentersville flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carpentersville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Carpentersville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Kane County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carpentersville
Disasters that paid out in Carpentersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Carpentersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the Village of Carpentersville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$35K to the Village of Carpentersville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$27K to the Village of Carpentersville for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$28K to the Village of Carpentersville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Kane County has had 13 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 Carpentersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carpentersville archive →Carpentersville and its neighbors
Carpentersville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpentersville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| West Dundee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Algonquin | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Barrington Hills | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Dundee | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Carpentersville 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.
- Carpentersville residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Carpentersville
Is Carpentersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carpentersville has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #27 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carpentersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Carpentersville since 1999, $17K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Carpentersville 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 Kane County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carpentersville?
Carpentersville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Carpentersville?
By FEMA money that reached Carpentersville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 14 households applied for aid, $57K approved, and $35K to the Village of Carpentersville for repairs.
Is Carpentersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Carpentersville’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carpentersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carpentersville’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.