On FEMA’s figures, Hawthorn Woods faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawthorn Woods gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #59 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Hawthorn Woods 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 Hawthorn Woods’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hawthorn Woods, and Hawthorn Woods’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #59 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hawthorn Woods’ residents live in 6 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, Hawthorn Woods has less expected damage per building than 92% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Hawthorn Woods: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hawthorn Woods flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hawthorn Woods, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hawthorn Woods isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hawthorn Woods
Disasters that paid out in Hawthorn Woods itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hawthorn Woods), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$108K to the Village of Hawthorn Woods for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the Village of Hawthorn Woods for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$12K to the Village of Hawthorn Woods for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$11K to the Village of Hawthorn Woods for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the Village of Hawthorn Woods for repairs
Lake County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hawthorn Woods after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hawthorn Woods archive →Hawthorn Woods and its neighbors
Hawthorn Woods is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mundelein | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Fremont Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Forest Lake | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hawthorn Woods | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lake Zurich | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Ela Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Long Grove | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Kildeer | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Hawthorn Woods 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 Hawthorn Woods
Is Hawthorn Woods at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawthorn Woods has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #59 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hawthorn Woods flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hawthorn Woods since 2013, $22K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hawthorn Woods 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 Lake County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hawthorn Woods?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hawthorn Woods’ 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 Hawthorn Woods?
By FEMA money that reached Hawthorn Woods, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $108K to the Village of Hawthorn Woods for repairs.
Is Hawthorn Woods at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Hawthorn Woods’ rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hawthorn Woods.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hawthorn Woods’ 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.