Photo: Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hoffman Estates than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hoffman Estates gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #33 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Hoffman Estates’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hoffman Estates, and Hoffman Estates’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A #33 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hoffman Estates’ residents live in 22 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, Hoffman Estates has less expected damage per building than 96% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.0M a year in losses across Hoffman Estates: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hoffman Estates flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hoffman Estates, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hoffman Estates is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hoffman Estates
Disasters that paid out in Hoffman Estates itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hoffman Estates), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng26 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$93K to the Village of Hoffman Estates for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$21K to the Village of Hoffman Estates for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$121K to the Village of Hoffman Estates for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$55K to the Village of Hoffman Estates for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$60K to the Village of Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hoffman Estates archive →Hoffman Estates and its neighbors
Hoffman Estates is 2nd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hoffman Estates | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| South Barrington | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Streamwood | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Inverness | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Schaumburg | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Palatine Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Barrington Hills | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Elgin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
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 Hoffman Estates 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.
- Hoffman Estates residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hoffman Estates
Is Hoffman Estates at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hoffman Estates has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #33 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hoffman Estates flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Hoffman Estates since 1979, $180K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates?
Hoffman Estates is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hoffman Estates?
By FEMA money that reached Hoffman Estates, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $121K to the Village of Hoffman Estates for repairs.
Is Hoffman Estates at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Hoffman Estates’ rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hoffman Estates.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hoffman Estates’ 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.