FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in West Deerfield Township than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Deerfield Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #558 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 179 claims here since 1978.
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 West Deerfield Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Deerfield Township 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 West Deerfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Deerfield Township, and West Deerfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C #558 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Deerfield Township’s residents live in 9 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, West Deerfield Township has more expected damage per building than 73% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.2M a year in losses across West Deerfield Township: $18.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Deerfield Township flood? Yes: 179 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Deerfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 15.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $4K
West Deerfield Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to West Deerfield Township
Disasters that paid out in West Deerfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Deerfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2K to West Deerfield Township 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 West Deerfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Deerfield Township archive →West Deerfield Township and its neighbors
West Deerfield Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shields Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Moraine Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Vernon Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| Northfield Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 333 |
| West Deerfield Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 179 |
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 West Deerfield Township 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 West Deerfield Township
Is West Deerfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Deerfield Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #558 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Deerfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 179 claims in West Deerfield Township since 1978, $1.9M in all, or 15.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is West Deerfield Township 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 West Deerfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Deerfield Township’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 West Deerfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached West Deerfield Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $2K to West Deerfield Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $24K.
Is West Deerfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and West Deerfield Township’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Deerfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Deerfield Township’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.