On FEMA’s figures, Sleepy Hollow faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sleepy Hollow gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #3 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1990.
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 Sleepy Hollow 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
Earthquakes
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 Sleepy Hollow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sleepy Hollow, and Sleepy Hollow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 24% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #3 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sleepy Hollow’s residents live in 2 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, Sleepy Hollow has less expected damage per building than 100% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Sleepy Hollow: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sleepy Hollow flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sleepy Hollow, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sleepy Hollow isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kane County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sleepy Hollow
Disasters that paid out in Sleepy Hollow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sleepy Hollow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Village of Sleepy Hollow for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$4K to the Village of Sleepy Hollow for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$3K to the Village of Sleepy Hollow for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to the Village of Sleepy Hollow for repairs
Kane County has had 13 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 Sleepy Hollow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sleepy Hollow archive →Sleepy Hollow and its neighbors
Sleepy Hollow has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleepy Hollow | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Dundee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Elgin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
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 Sleepy Hollow 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Sleepy Hollow
Is Sleepy Hollow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sleepy Hollow has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #3 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sleepy Hollow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sleepy Hollow since 1990, $7K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Sleepy Hollow 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 Kane County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sleepy Hollow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sleepy Hollow’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 Sleepy Hollow?
By FEMA money that reached Sleepy Hollow, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $11K to the Village of Sleepy Hollow for repairs.
Is Sleepy Hollow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Sleepy Hollow’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sleepy Hollow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sleepy Hollow’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.