Photo: Nlpictures · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in New Lenox than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Lenox gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #182 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1981.
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 New Lenox’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Lenox 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 New Lenox’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Lenox, and New Lenox’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #182 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Lenox’s residents live in 12 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, New Lenox has less expected damage per building than 76% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across New Lenox: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Lenox flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Lenox, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike5 claims · $81K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $54K
New Lenox isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Will County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Lenox
Disasters that paid out in New Lenox itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Lenox), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng48 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$8K to the Village of New Lenox for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$109K to the Village of New Lenox for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$21K to the Village of New Lenox for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding104 households applied for aid$165K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$43K to the Village of New Lenox for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$34K to the Village of New Lenox for repairs
Will County has had 16 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 New Lenox after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Lenox archive →New Lenox and its neighbors
New Lenox 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Lenox | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Mokena | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ingalls Park | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Joliet | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 630 |
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 New Lenox 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 New Lenox
Is New Lenox at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Lenox has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #182 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Lenox flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in New Lenox since 1981, $449K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (5).
Is New Lenox 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 Will County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Lenox?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Lenox’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 New Lenox?
By FEMA money that reached New Lenox, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 104 households applied for aid, $165K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 5 paid, $81K.
Is New Lenox at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and New Lenox’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Lenox.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Lenox’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.