Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Huntley faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntley gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #287 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Huntley 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 Huntley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Huntley, and Huntley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #287 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Huntley’s residents live in 9 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, Huntley has less expected damage per building than 63% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.4M a year in losses across Huntley: $9.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Huntley flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Huntley, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Huntley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: McHenry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Huntley
Disasters that paid out in Huntley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Huntley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Its 2 counties have had 17 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 Huntley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Huntley archive →Huntley and its neighbors
Huntley is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lake in the Hills | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Grafton Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Huntley | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Coral Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Huntley 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.
- Huntley 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 Huntley
Is Huntley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntley has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #287 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Huntley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Huntley since 1982, $713 in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Huntley 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 McHenry County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Huntley?
Huntley 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 Huntley?
By FEMA money that reached Huntley, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 5 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Huntley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Huntley’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Huntley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Huntley’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.