FEMA puts Prairie Grove’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairie Grove gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 101 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 Prairie Grove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prairie Grove 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 Prairie Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prairie Grove, and Prairie Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prairie Grove’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Prairie Grove: $839K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prairie Grove flood? Yes: 101 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prairie Grove, from FEMA’s records: 132.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms15 claims · $245K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $284
Prairie Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McHenry County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Prairie Grove
Disasters that paid out in Prairie Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Prairie Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Village of Prairie Grove for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$3K to the Village of Prairie Grove for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$3K to the Village of Prairie Grove for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the Village of Prairie Grove for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to the Village of Prairie Grove for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
McHenry County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Prairie Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prairie Grove archive →Prairie Grove and its neighbors
Prairie Grove is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| McHenry | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Prairie Grove | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
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 Prairie Grove 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 Prairie Grove
Is Prairie Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairie Grove has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prairie Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 101 claims in Prairie Grove since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 132.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (15).
Is Prairie Grove 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 McHenry County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Prairie Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prairie Grove’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 Prairie Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Prairie Grove, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $6K to the Village of Prairie Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 15 paid, $245K.
Is Prairie Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Prairie Grove’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prairie Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prairie Grove’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.