FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Northfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northfield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #436 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 135 claims here since 1979.
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 Northfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northfield 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 Northfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northfield, and Northfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #436 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northfield’s residents live in 3 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, Northfield has more expected damage per building than 57% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Northfield: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northfield flood? Yes: 135 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northfield, from FEMA’s records: 54.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike30 claims · $787K
- The Mid-spring storms20 claims · $228K
Northfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northfield
Disasters that paid out in Northfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Northfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$19K aid approved23 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Village of Northfield for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$107K aid approved$36K to the Village of Northfield for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$111K to the Village of Northfield for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$6K to the Village of Northfield 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 Northfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northfield archive →Northfield and its neighbors
Northfield is 4th of the 6 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 |
| Winnetka | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Northbrook | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Northfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
| Wilmette | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
| Glenview | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
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 Northfield 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.
- Northfield residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Northfield
Is Northfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northfield has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #436 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 Northfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 135 claims in Northfield since 1979, $1.6M in all, or 54.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (30).
Is Northfield 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 Northfield?
Northfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Northfield?
By FEMA money that reached Northfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 28 households applied for aid, $107K approved, and $36K to the Village of Northfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 30 paid, $787K.
Is Northfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Northfield’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northfield’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.