FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Orland Hills than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orland Hills gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #189 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Orland Hills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Orland Hills 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 Orland Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orland Hills, and Orland Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B #189 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orland Hills’ 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, Orland Hills has less expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Orland Hills: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orland Hills flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orland Hills, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Orland Hills is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orland Hills
Disasters that paid out in Orland Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Orland Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng13 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Village of Orland Hills for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$8K to the Village of Orland Hills for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$7K to the Village of Orland Hills for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$11K to the Village of Orland Hills 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 Orland Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orland Hills archive →Orland Hills and its neighbors
Orland Hills has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orland Hills | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Orland Park | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
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 Orland Hills 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.
- Orland Hills 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 Orland Hills
Is Orland Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orland Hills has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #189 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orland Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Orland Hills since 1978, $18K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Orland Hills 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 Orland Hills?
Orland Hills 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 Orland Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Orland Hills, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 12 households applied for aid, $55K approved.
Is Orland Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Orland Hills’ rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orland Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orland Hills’ 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.