FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Norridge than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norridge gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #163 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1980.
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 Norridge 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 Norridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norridge, and Norridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #163 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norridge’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, Norridge has less expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Norridge: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norridge flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norridge, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $12K
Norridge 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norridge
Disasters that paid out in Norridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Norridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng12 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$80K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding121 households applied for aid$165K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$94K to the Village of Norridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding53 households applied for aid$116K aid approved$15K to the Village of Norridge for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$10K to the Village of Norridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$16K to the Village of Norridge 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 Norridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norridge archive →Norridge and its neighbors
Norridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harwood Heights | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Norwood Park Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Norridge | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Leyden Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 960 |
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 Norridge 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 Norridge
Is Norridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norridge has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #163 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Norridge since 1980, $20K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Norridge 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 Norridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norridge’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 Norridge?
By FEMA money that reached Norridge, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 121 households applied for aid, $165K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Norridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Norridge’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norridge’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.