Photo: Busjack · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Riverwoods than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverwoods gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #473 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1982.
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 Riverwoods’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Riverwoods 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 Riverwoods’ grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Riverwoods, and Riverwoods’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #473 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Riverwoods’ 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, Riverwoods has more expected damage per building than 62% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Riverwoods: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Riverwoods flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Riverwoods, from FEMA’s records: 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $163K
Riverwoods is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lake County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Riverwoods
Disasters that paid out in Riverwoods itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Riverwoods), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$8K to the Village of Riverwoods for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Village of Riverwoods for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Village of Riverwoods for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the Village of Riverwoods for repairs
Lake County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Riverwoods after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Riverwoods archive →Riverwoods and its neighbors
Riverwoods is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Grove | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Riverwoods | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Lincolnshire | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Bannockburn | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Deerfield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
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 Riverwoods 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.
- Riverwoods 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 Riverwoods
Is Riverwoods at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverwoods has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #473 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 Riverwoods flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Riverwoods since 1982, $400K in all, or 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Riverwoods 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 Lake County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Riverwoods?
Riverwoods 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 Riverwoods?
By FEMA money that reached Riverwoods, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 3 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $8K to the Village of Riverwoods for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $163K.
Is Riverwoods at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Riverwoods’ rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Riverwoods.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Riverwoods’ 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.