FEMA puts Spring Grove’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Grove gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #70 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Spring Grove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Spring Grove 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 Spring Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spring Grove, and Spring Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #70 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Spring Grove’s residents live in 3 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, Spring Grove has less expected damage per building than 91% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Spring Grove: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spring Grove flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring Grove, from FEMA’s records: 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $22K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $94K
Spring Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McHenry County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spring Grove
Disasters that paid out in Spring Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Spring Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$24K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Village of Spring Grove for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$125 aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$16K to the Village of Spring Grove for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Snow$13K to the Village of Spring Grove for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$7K to the Village of Spring Grove for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the Village of Spring Grove for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
McHenry County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Spring Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring Grove archive →Spring Grove and its neighbors
Spring Grove 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Grove | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Fox Lake | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 259 |
| Pistakee Highlands | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
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 Spring Grove 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 Spring Grove
Is Spring Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Grove has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #70 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spring Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Spring Grove since 1979, $270K in all, or 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Spring Grove 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 McHenry County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spring Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring Grove’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 Spring Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Spring Grove, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $38K to the Village of Spring Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $22K.
Is Spring Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Spring Grove’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring Grove’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.