Photo: Jack Ryan Morris · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Orland Park 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, Orland Park gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #261 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 53 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 Orland Park 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 Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orland Park, and Orland Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B #261 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orland Park’s residents live in 19 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 Park has less expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $29.4M a year in losses across Orland Park: $16.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orland Park flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orland Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $50K
Orland Park 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 Orland Park
Disasters that paid out in Orland Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Orland Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng90 households applied for aid$191K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$120K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding108 households applied for aid$231K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$149K to the Village of Orland Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding54 households applied for aid$111K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$50K to the Village of Orland Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$61K to the Village of Orland Park 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 Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orland Park archive →Orland Park and its neighbors
Orland Park is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orland Hills | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Homer Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Orland Park | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Homer Glen | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Orland Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Frankfort Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Tinley Park | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Oak Forest | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Palos Park | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Park 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 Orland Park
Is Orland Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orland Park has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #261 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orland Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Orland Park since 1979, $807K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Orland Park 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 Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orland Park’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 Orland Park?
By FEMA money that reached Orland Park, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 108 households applied for aid, $231K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $50K.
Is Orland Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Orland Park’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orland Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orland Park’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.