On FEMA’s figures, Lynwood faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynwood gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #735 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Lynwood 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 Lynwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lynwood, and Lynwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D #735 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lynwood’s residents live in 4 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, Lynwood has more expected damage per building than 96% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Lynwood: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lynwood flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lynwood, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $22K
Lynwood 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lynwood
Disasters that paid out in Lynwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lynwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng379 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding125 households applied for aid$343K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding398 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding285 households applied for aid$558K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding292 households applied for aid$886K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding469 households applied for aid$608K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
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 Lynwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lynwood archive →Lynwood and its neighbors
Lynwood is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Heights | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| Glenwood | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Lansing | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Sauk Village | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lynwood | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Lynwood 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 Lynwood
Is Lynwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynwood has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #735 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lynwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Lynwood since 1996, $92K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Lynwood 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 Lynwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lynwood’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 Lynwood?
By FEMA money that reached Lynwood, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 379 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $22K.
Is Lynwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Lynwood’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lynwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lynwood’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.