Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Barrington than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Barrington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #44 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 South Barrington 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 South Barrington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Barrington, and South Barrington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A #44 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Barrington’s 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, South Barrington has less expected damage per building than 94% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across South Barrington: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Barrington flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Barrington, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Barrington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cook County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Barrington
Disasters that paid out in South Barrington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Barrington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Village of South Barrington for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$4K to the Village of South Barrington for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the Village of South Barrington 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 South Barrington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Barrington archive →South Barrington and its neighbors
South Barrington is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hoffman Estates | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| South Barrington | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Inverness | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Palatine Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Barrington Hills | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 South Barrington 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 South Barrington
Is South Barrington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Barrington has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #44 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Barrington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Barrington since 2018, $14K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Barrington 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 South Barrington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Barrington’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 South Barrington?
By FEMA money that reached South Barrington, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $26K to the Village of South Barrington for repairs.
Is South Barrington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and South Barrington’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Barrington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Barrington’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.