Photo: Cosmo1976 · Public domainFEMA puts Cary’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cary gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #451 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Cary 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 Cary’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cary, and Cary’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #451 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cary’s residents live in 5 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, Cary has more expected damage per building than 59% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Cary: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cary flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cary, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $8K
Cary isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McHenry County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cary
Disasters that paid out in Cary itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cary), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$4K to the Village of Cary for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Village of Cary for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$29K to the Village of Cary for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$198 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Snow$21K to the Village of Cary for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$9K to the Village of Cary for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$11K to the Village of Cary for repairs
McHenry County has had 13 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 Cary after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cary archive →Cary and its neighbors
Cary is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Algonquin | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Lake in the Hills | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Cary | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Fox River Grove | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Trout Valley | — | 574 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Cary 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 Cary
Is Cary at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cary has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #451 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cary flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Cary since 1979, $44K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Cary 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 McHenry County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cary?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cary’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 Cary?
By FEMA money that reached Cary, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 28 households applied for aid, $45K approved, and $4K to the Village of Cary for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Cary at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Cary’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cary.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cary’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.