Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in South Holland than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Holland gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #757 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 494 claims here since 1981.
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 South Holland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Holland 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 Holland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Holland, and South Holland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D #757 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Holland’s 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, South Holland has more expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.1M a year in losses across South Holland: $12.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Holland flood? Yes: 494 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Holland, from FEMA’s records: 63.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike153 claims · $985K
- The Mid-spring storms13 claims · $77K
South Holland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Holland
Disasters that paid out in South Holland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Holland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng1,557 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1,150 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1,974 households applied for aid$7.7M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,529 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved15 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$53K to the Village of South Holland for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1,353 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1,632 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$66K to the Village of South Holland for repairs171 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$47K to the Village of South Holland for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$28K to the Village of South Holland for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$40K to the Village of South Holland 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 Holland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Holland archive →South Holland and its neighbors
South Holland is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Hazel Crest | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lansing | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Calumet City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 380 |
| Phoenix | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Harvey | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 381 |
| South Holland | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 494 |
| Dolton | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 294 |
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 Holland 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.
- South Holland residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in South Holland
Is South Holland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Holland has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #757 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Holland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 494 claims in South Holland since 1981, $2.4M in all, or 63.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (153).
Is South Holland 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 Holland?
South Holland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 South Holland?
By FEMA money that reached South Holland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): 1,974 households applied for aid, $7.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 153 paid, $985K.
Is South Holland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and South Holland’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Holland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Holland’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.