Photo: Indy beetle · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Mount Prospect than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Prospect gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #485 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 115 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 stands out about Mount Prospect’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Prospect, and Mount Prospect’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #485 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Prospect’s residents live in 16 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, Mount Prospect has more expected damage per building than 63% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.4M a year in losses across Mount Prospect: $15.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Prospect flood? Yes: 115 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Prospect, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike16 claims · $188K
- The Mid-spring storms11 claims · $165K
Mount Prospect is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Prospect
Disasters that paid out in Mount Prospect itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Mount Prospect), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding98 households applied for aid$203K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$143K to the Village of Mount Prospect for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding128 households applied for aid$226K aid approved$144K to the Village of Mount Prospect for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$679K to the Village of Mount Prospect for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$53K to the Village of Mount Prospect for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$82K to the Village of Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Prospect archive →Mount Prospect and its neighbors
Mount Prospect is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Des Plaines | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1,221 |
| Mount Prospect | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Prospect Heights | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
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 Mount Prospect 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.
- Mount Prospect residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Mount Prospect
Is Mount Prospect at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Prospect has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #485 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Prospect flood?
Flood insurance has paid 115 claims in Mount Prospect since 1978, $998K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (16).
Is Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect?
Mount Prospect is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Mount Prospect?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Prospect, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $679K to the Village of Mount Prospect for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 16 paid, $188K.
Is Mount Prospect at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Mount Prospect’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Prospect.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Prospect’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.