Photo: Cresthilladmin · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Crest Hill than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crest Hill gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #17 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1982.
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 Crest 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 Crest Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crest Hill, and Crest Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A #17 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crest Hill’s residents live in 11 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, Crest Hill has less expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Crest Hill: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crest Hill flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crest Hill, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Crest 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: Will County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crest Hill
Disasters that paid out in Crest Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crest Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng85 households applied for aid$195K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$6K to the City of Crest Hill for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the City of Crest Hill for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$49K to the City of Crest Hill for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$19K to the City of Crest Hill for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$11K to the City of Crest Hill for repairs
Will County has had 16 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 Crest Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crest Hill archive →Crest Hill and its neighbors
Crest Hill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crest Hill | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Romeoville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sunnyland | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Joliet | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 630 |
| Crystal Lawns | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Crest 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 Crest Hill
Is Crest Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crest Hill has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #17 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crest Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Crest Hill since 1982, $106K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Crest 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crest Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crest 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 Crest Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Crest Hill, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 85 households applied for aid, $195K approved.
Is Crest Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Crest Hill’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crest Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crest 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.