More hazard damage per building is expected in Prospect Heights than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prospect Heights gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #544 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 71 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 Prospect Heights’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prospect Heights 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 Prospect Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prospect Heights, and Prospect Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C #544 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prospect Heights’ residents live in 10 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, Prospect Heights has more expected damage per building than 71% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Prospect Heights: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prospect Heights flood? Sometimes: 71 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prospect Heights, from FEMA’s records: 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike7 claims · $295K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
Prospect Heights is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Prospect Heights
Disasters that paid out in Prospect Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Prospect Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the City of Prospect Heights for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$47K to the City of Prospect Heights for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$32K to the City of Prospect Heights for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$12K to the City of Prospect Heights for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$14K to the City of Prospect Heights 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 Prospect Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prospect Heights archive →Prospect Heights and its neighbors
Prospect Heights is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Mount Prospect | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Glenview | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Wheeling | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
| Prospect Heights | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
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 Prospect Heights 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.
- Prospect Heights residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Prospect Heights
Is Prospect Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prospect Heights has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #544 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prospect Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 71 claims in Prospect Heights since 1979, $2.2M in all, or 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (7).
Is Prospect Heights 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 Prospect Heights?
Prospect Heights is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Prospect Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Prospect Heights, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 10 households applied for aid, $21K approved, and $47K to the City of Prospect Heights for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 7 paid, $295K.
Is Prospect Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Prospect Heights’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prospect Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prospect Heights’ 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.