Photo: AlphaBeta135 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Glenwood than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glenwood gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #447 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1981.
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 Glenwood 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 Glenwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glenwood, and Glenwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #447 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glenwood’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, Glenwood has more expected damage per building than 58% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Glenwood: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glenwood flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glenwood, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $5K
Glenwood 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glenwood
Disasters that paid out in Glenwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Glenwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng425 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding104 households applied for aid$212K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding446 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding332 households applied for aid$670K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Village of Glenwood for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding283 households applied for aid$853K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding336 households applied for aid$446K aid approved$11K to the Village of Glenwood for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$9K to the Village of Glenwood for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$20K to the Village of Glenwood 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 Glenwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glenwood archive →Glenwood and its neighbors
Glenwood is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chicago Heights | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Glenwood | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Homewood | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Lynwood | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Glenwood 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 Glenwood
Is Glenwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glenwood has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #447 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glenwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Glenwood since 1981, $141K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Glenwood 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 Glenwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glenwood’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 Glenwood?
By FEMA money that reached Glenwood, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 425 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Glenwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Glenwood’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glenwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glenwood’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.