Photo: Etombari · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Highwood than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highwood gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #10 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Highwood 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 Highwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highwood, and Highwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #10 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highwood’s residents live in 2 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, Highwood has less expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Highwood: $519K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highwood flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Highwood. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Highwood 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highwood
Disasters that paid out in Highwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Highwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the City of Highwood for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$14K to the City of Highwood for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$13K to the City of Highwood for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$11K to the City of Highwood 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 Highwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highwood archive →Highwood and its neighbors
Highwood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highwood | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Lake Forest | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Highland Park | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
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 Highwood 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 Highwood
Is Highwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highwood has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #10 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Highwood 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 Highwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highwood’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 Highwood?
By FEMA money that reached Highwood, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $23K to the City of Highwood for repairs.
Is Highwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Highwood’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highwood’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.