George Clayson House · Photo: G LeTourneau · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Palatine than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palatine gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #193 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 61 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 Palatine’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Palatine 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 Palatine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palatine, and Palatine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B #193 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palatine’s residents live in 17 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, Palatine has less expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $30.2M a year in losses across Palatine: $15.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palatine flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palatine, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $117K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Palatine is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palatine
Disasters that paid out in Palatine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Palatine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng23 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$80K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$37K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$112K to the Village of Palatine for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$27K to the Village of Palatine for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$104K to the Village of Palatine for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$57K to the Village of Palatine for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$74K to the Village of Palatine 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 Palatine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palatine archive →Palatine and its neighbors
Palatine is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Schaumburg | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Deer Park | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Palatine | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Palatine Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Arlington Heights | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Rolling Meadows | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Wheeling Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 378 |
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 Palatine 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.
- Palatine 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 Palatine
Is Palatine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palatine has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #193 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palatine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Palatine since 1978, $448K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Palatine 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 Palatine?
Palatine 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 Palatine?
By FEMA money that reached Palatine, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 2 households applied for aid, $17K approved, and $104K to the Village of Palatine for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $117K.
Is Palatine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Palatine’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palatine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palatine’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.