Photo: Crosbiesmith · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hickory Hills as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hickory Hills gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #354 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1982.
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 Hickory Hills 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 Hickory Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hickory Hills, and Hickory Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #354 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hickory Hills’ 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, Hickory Hills has less expected damage per building than 54% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Hickory Hills: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hickory Hills flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hickory Hills, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hickory Hills 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 Hickory Hills
Disasters that paid out in Hickory Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hickory Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng11 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding46 households applied for aid$200K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the City of Hickory Hills for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$13K to the City of Hickory Hills for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$17K to the City of Hickory Hills 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 Hickory Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hickory Hills archive →Hickory Hills and its neighbors
Hickory Hills is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeview | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hickory Hills | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Justice | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Palos Hills | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 Hickory Hills 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 Hickory Hills
Is Hickory Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hickory Hills has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #354 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hickory Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Hickory Hills since 1982, $303K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hickory Hills 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 Hickory Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hickory Hills’ 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 Hickory Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Hickory Hills, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 46 households applied for aid, $200K approved.
Is Hickory Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Hickory Hills’ rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hickory Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hickory Hills’ 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.