Photo: bogdanstepniak · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Glencoe than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glencoe gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #22 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1978.
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 Glencoe 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 Glencoe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glencoe, and Glencoe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #22 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glencoe’s residents live in 2 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, Glencoe has less expected damage per building than 97% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Glencoe: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glencoe flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glencoe, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $28K
Glencoe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cook County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glencoe
Disasters that paid out in Glencoe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Glencoe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Village of Glencoe for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$16K to the Village of Glencoe for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$56K to the Village of Glencoe for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$16K to the Village of Glencoe for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$25K to the Village of Glencoe for repairs
Cook County has had 21 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 Glencoe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glencoe archive →Glencoe and its neighbors
Glencoe has the lowest expected damage per building of the 8 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glencoe | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Moraine Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Highland Park | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Winnetka | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| New Trier Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 352 |
| Northfield Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 333 |
| Northbrook | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Northfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
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 Glencoe 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 Glencoe
Is Glencoe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glencoe has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #22 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glencoe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Glencoe since 1978, $89K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Glencoe 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 Cook County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Glencoe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glencoe’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 Glencoe?
By FEMA money that reached Glencoe, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $56K to the Village of Glencoe for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $28K.
Is Glencoe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Glencoe’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glencoe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glencoe’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.