Photo: CL Minecraft · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Northbrook faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northbrook gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #389 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 80 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 Northbrook’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northbrook 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 Northbrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northbrook, and Northbrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #389 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northbrook’s residents live in 10 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, Northbrook has more expected damage per building than 51% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.9M a year in losses across Northbrook: $16.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northbrook flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northbrook, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike4 claims · $197K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $6K
Northbrook 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 Northbrook
Disasters that paid out in Northbrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Northbrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng9 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$31K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$71K to the Village of Northbrook for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$51K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$108K to the Village of Northbrook for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$70K to the Village of Northbrook for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$45K to the Village of Northbrook for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$50K to the Village of Northbrook for repairs1 flood claim 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 Northbrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northbrook archive →Northbrook and its neighbors
Northbrook is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glencoe | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Moraine Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| New Trier Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 352 |
| Northfield Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 333 |
| Northbrook | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Northfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
| Glenview | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Wheeling | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
| Deerfield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
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 Northbrook 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.
- Northbrook 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 Northbrook
Is Northbrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northbrook has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #389 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northbrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in Northbrook since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (4).
Is Northbrook 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 Northbrook?
Northbrook 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 Northbrook?
By FEMA money that reached Northbrook, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 76 households applied for aid, $161K approved, and $108K to the Village of Northbrook for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 4 paid, $197K.
Is Northbrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Northbrook’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northbrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northbrook’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.