Photo: Marcusmax · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hazel Crest faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazel Crest gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #686 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 Hazel Crest 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 Hazel Crest’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hazel Crest, and Hazel Crest’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #686 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hazel Crest’s residents live in 5 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, Hazel Crest has more expected damage per building than 89% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.6M a year in losses across Hazel Crest: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hazel Crest flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hazel Crest, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $23K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $7K
Hazel Crest 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hazel Crest
Disasters that paid out in Hazel Crest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hazel Crest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng819 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding380 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1,028 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding783 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Village of Hazel Crest for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding808 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding736 households applied for aid$601K aid approved$28K to the Village of Hazel Crest for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$32K to the Village of Hazel Crest for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$13K to the Village of Hazel Crest for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$23K to the Village of Hazel Crest 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 Hazel Crest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hazel Crest archive →Hazel Crest and its neighbors
Hazel Crest is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Hazel Crest | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Flossmoor | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Country Club Hills | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Homewood | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Markham | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Hazel Crest | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Harvey | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 381 |
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 Hazel Crest 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 Hazel Crest
Is Hazel Crest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazel Crest has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #686 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hazel Crest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Hazel Crest since 1978, $81K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% 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 Hazel Crest 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 Hazel Crest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hazel Crest’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 Hazel Crest?
By FEMA money that reached Hazel Crest, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 1,028 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $23K.
Is Hazel Crest at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Hazel Crest’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hazel Crest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hazel Crest’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.