Northbrook, IL

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 34,546 · Part of Cook County

Northbrook is rated Very High for overall natural hazard risk — among the most at-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cook County, IL. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, cold wave, and winter weather.

Storm events near Northbrook

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Northbrook's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Northbrook itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 38 events
Hail 231 events
Inland Flooding 221 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Cook County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Northbrook along with the rest of the county, not a Northbrook-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 55.8 Very Low
Inland Flooding 99.9 Very High
Coastal Flooding 44 Relatively Low
Earthquake 98.4 Relatively High
Heat Wave 99.8 Very High
Tornado 100 Very High
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 100 Very High
Drought 25.7 Very Low
Hail 99.1 Relatively High
Hurricane 48.9 Very Low
Ice Storm 97.2 Very High
Landslide 56.4 Very Low
Lightning 98.2 Very High
Strong Wind 99.6 Very High
Tsunami Insufficient Data
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 100 Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cook County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

Other cities in Cook County:

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Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Northbrook, IL at risk of?

Northbrook is rated Very High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the most at-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Cook County, where Northbrook is located, are tornado, cold wave, and winter weather.

What is Northbrook's biggest natural hazard risk?

Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Cook County, where Northbrook is located, scoring 100 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").

Is Northbrook a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Yes — Northbrook carries among the most at-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very High" for Cook County.

Has Northbrook had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 38 tornado, 231 hail, 221 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Northbrook since 2016.