Photo: Zol87 · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Winnetka than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winnetka gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #172 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 138 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 Winnetka’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Winnetka 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 Winnetka’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winnetka, and Winnetka’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #172 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winnetka’s residents live in 5 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, Winnetka has less expected damage per building than 78% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Winnetka: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winnetka flood? Yes: 138 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winnetka, from FEMA’s records: 30.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike15 claims · $262K
- The Mid-spring storms12 claims · $138K
Winnetka is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cook County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winnetka
Disasters that paid out in Winnetka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Winnetka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$18K aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Village of Winnetka for repairs48 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$35K to the Village of Winnetka for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$436K to the Village of Winnetka for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$23K to the Village of Winnetka for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$27K to the Village of Winnetka 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 Winnetka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winnetka archive →Winnetka and its neighbors
Winnetka is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glencoe | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Kenilworth | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Winnetka | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| New Trier Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 352 |
| Northfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
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 Winnetka 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.
- Winnetka 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 Winnetka
Is Winnetka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winnetka has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #172 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winnetka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 138 claims in Winnetka since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 30.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (15).
Is Winnetka 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 Winnetka?
Winnetka 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 Winnetka?
By FEMA money that reached Winnetka, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $436K to the Village of Winnetka for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 15 paid, $262K.
Is Winnetka at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Winnetka’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winnetka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winnetka’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.