FEMA puts Northlake’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northlake gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #681 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 209 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 Northlake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northlake 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 Northlake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northlake, and Northlake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #681 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northlake’s residents live in 5 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, Northlake has more expected damage per building than 89% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Northlake: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northlake flood? Yes: 209 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northlake, from FEMA’s records: 46.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike40 claims · $421K
- The Mid-spring storms34 claims · $580K
Northlake 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 Northlake
Disasters that paid out in Northlake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northlake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng8 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding141 households applied for aid$328K aid approved34 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the City of Northlake for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding122 households applied for aid$305K aid approved39 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$66K aid approved41 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$104K to the City of Northlake for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$21K to the City of Northlake for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$24K to the City of Northlake 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 Northlake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northlake archive →Northlake and its neighbors
Northlake is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| York Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 516 |
| Berkeley | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Melrose Park | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 374 |
| Elmhurst | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 248 |
| Franklin Park | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 257 |
| Proviso Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2,580 |
| Northlake | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Stone Park | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 393 |
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 Northlake 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 Northlake
Is Northlake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northlake has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #681 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northlake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 209 claims in Northlake since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 46.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 43 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (40).
Is Northlake 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 Northlake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northlake’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 Northlake?
By FEMA money that reached Northlake, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 141 households applied for aid, $328K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 40 paid, $421K.
Is Northlake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Northlake’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northlake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northlake’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.