Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Clarendon Hills than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarendon Hills gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #35 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Clarendon Hills 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 Clarendon Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarendon Hills, and Clarendon Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #35 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarendon Hills’ residents live in 4 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, Clarendon Hills has less expected damage per building than 96% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Clarendon Hills: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarendon Hills flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarendon Hills, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $34K
Clarendon Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarendon Hills
Disasters that paid out in Clarendon Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Clarendon Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding48 households applied for aid$153K aid approved$20K to the Village of Clarendon Hills for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Village of Clarendon Hills for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$9K to the Village of Clarendon Hills for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$11K to the Village of Clarendon Hills for repairs
DuPage 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 Clarendon Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarendon Hills archive →Clarendon Hills and its neighbors
Clarendon Hills has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarendon Hills | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Westmont | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Willowbrook | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hinsdale | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
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 Clarendon Hills 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 Clarendon Hills
Is Clarendon Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarendon Hills has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #35 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clarendon Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Clarendon Hills since 1979, $83K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Clarendon Hills 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarendon Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarendon Hills’ 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 Clarendon Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Clarendon Hills, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 48 households applied for aid, $153K approved, and $20K to the Village of Clarendon Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $34K.
Is Clarendon Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Clarendon Hills’ rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarendon Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarendon Hills’ 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.