Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Homewood’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homewood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #613 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 49 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 Homewood 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 Homewood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Homewood, and Homewood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #613 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Homewood’s residents live in 7 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, Homewood has more expected damage per building than 80% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across Homewood: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Homewood flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Homewood, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $11K
Homewood 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 Homewood
Disasters that paid out in Homewood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Homewood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng733 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding131 households applied for aid$282K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding526 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding317 households applied for aid$591K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Village of Homewood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding277 households applied for aid$713K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding249 households applied for aid$338K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Village of Homewood for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$16K to the Village of Homewood for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$27K to the Village of Homewood 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 Homewood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Homewood archive →Homewood and its neighbors
Homewood is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Rich Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| East Hazel Crest | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Flossmoor | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Glenwood | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Bloom Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 238 |
| Homewood | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Hazel Crest | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Homewood 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 Homewood
Is Homewood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homewood has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #613 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Homewood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Homewood since 1978, $226K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Homewood 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 Homewood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Homewood’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 Homewood?
By FEMA money that reached Homewood, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 733 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $11K.
Is Homewood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Homewood’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Homewood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Homewood’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.