Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hinckley as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinckley gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1996.
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 Hinckley 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 Hinckley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hinckley, and Hinckley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hinckley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Hinckley: $763K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hinckley flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hinckley, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Hinckley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hinckley
Disasters that paid out in Hinckley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hinckley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding49 households applied for aid$147K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
DeKalb County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hinckley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hinckley archive →Get ready for what Hinckley 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 Hinckley
Is Hinckley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinckley has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hinckley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Hinckley since 1996, $84K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Hinckley 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 DeKalb County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hinckley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hinckley’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 Hinckley?
By FEMA money that reached Hinckley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 49 households applied for aid, $147K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Hinckley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Hinckley’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hinckley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hinckley’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.