Highland Park, IL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Highland Park is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lake County, IL. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, cold wave, and strong wind.
Storm events near Highland Park
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Highland Park's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Highland Park itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Lake County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Highland Park along with the rest of the county, not a Highland Park-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 44.9 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.2 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 29.8 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 85.7 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 92.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 98.9 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 98.9 | Very High |
| Drought | 40.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 88.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 18.2 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 63.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 46.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 93.7 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 98.3 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 62.4 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lake County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Lake County:
More on Lake County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Highland Park, IL at risk of?
Highland Park is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Lake County, where Highland Park is located, are tornado, cold wave, and strong wind.
What is Highland Park's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Lake County, where Highland Park is located, scoring 98.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Highland Park a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Highland Park carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Lake County.
Has Highland Park had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 30 tornado, 200 hail, 178 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Highland Park since 2016.