Photo: OhanaSurf · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fox River Grove than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fox River Grove gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #718 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 24 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 Fox River 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 Fox River Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fox River Grove, and Fox River Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D #718 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fox River Grove’s residents live in 3 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, Fox River Grove has more expected damage per building than 93% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Fox River Grove: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fox River Grove flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fox River Grove, from FEMA’s records: 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $106K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $4K
Fox River Grove 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fox River Grove
Disasters that paid out in Fox River Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Fox River Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$3K to the Village of Fox River Grove for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Village of Fox River Grove for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$14K to the Village of Fox River Grove for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$7K to the Village of Fox River Grove for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to the Village of Fox River Grove 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 Fox River Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fox River Grove archive →Fox River Grove and its neighbors
Fox River Grove is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington Hills | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Cary | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Lake Barrington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Fox River Grove | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 Fox River 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fox River Grove
Is Fox River Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fox River Grove has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #718 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fox River Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Fox River Grove since 1979, $250K in all, or 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Fox River 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 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 Fox River Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fox River Grove’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 Fox River Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Fox River Grove, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 9 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $3K to the Village of Fox River Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $106K.
Is Fox River Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Fox River Grove’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fox River Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fox River 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.