FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hanover Township than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #94 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 stands out about Hanover Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hanover Township 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 Hanover Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hanover Township, and Hanover Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #94 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hanover Township’s residents live in 23 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, Hanover Township has less expected damage per building than 88% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $36.8M a year in losses across Hanover Township: $15.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hanover Township flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hanover Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike11 claims · $357K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $54K
Hanover Township 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.The storms Hanover Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Cook County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Hanover Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200814 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Cook County
- 19793 flood claims paidThe year of Blizzards and Snowstorms, declared for Cook County
- 20133 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Cook County
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 Hanover Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hanover Township archive →Hanover Township and its neighbors
Hanover Township is 4th of the 7 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 Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Dundee Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Schaumburg Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Hanover Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Wayne Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Bartlett | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Elgin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Elgin Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Hanover Township 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 Hanover Township
Is Hanover Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover Township has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #94 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hanover Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Hanover Township since 1979, $709K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (11).
Is Hanover Township 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 Hanover Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hanover Township’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 Hanover Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 11 paid, $357K.
Is Hanover Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Hanover Township’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hanover Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hanover Township’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.