Photo: Thshriver · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Kenilworth than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenilworth gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Kenilworth 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 Kenilworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenilworth, and Kenilworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kenilworth’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Kenilworth: $777K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenilworth flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenilworth, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kenilworth 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenilworth
Disasters that paid out in Kenilworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Kenilworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Village of Kenilworth for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$3K to the Village of Kenilworth for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$71K to the Village of Kenilworth for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$8K to the Village of Kenilworth 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 Kenilworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenilworth archive →Kenilworth and its neighbors
Kenilworth has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenilworth | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Winnetka | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| New Trier Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 352 |
| Wilmette | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
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 Kenilworth 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 Kenilworth
Is Kenilworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenilworth has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kenilworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Kenilworth since 1978, $384 in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kenilworth 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 Kenilworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kenilworth’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 Kenilworth?
By FEMA money that reached Kenilworth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $71K to the Village of Kenilworth for repairs.
Is Kenilworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Kenilworth’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenilworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenilworth’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.