Less hazard damage per building is expected in Beach Park than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beach Park gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #13 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2004.
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 Beach Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Beach Park 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 Beach Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beach Park, and Beach Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #13 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beach Park’s residents live in 8 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, Beach Park has less expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Beach Park: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beach Park flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beach Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $5K
Beach Park 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beach Park
Disasters that paid out in Beach Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Beach Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding43 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$7K to the Village of Beach Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Village of Beach Park for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$550 aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$16K to the Village of Beach Park for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$17K to the Village of Beach Park for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the Village of Beach Park 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 Beach Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beach Park archive →Beach Park and its neighbors
Beach Park is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Benton Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Beach Park | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Newport Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Waukegan | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Wadsworth | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Zion Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Waukegan Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Beach Park 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 Beach Park
Is Beach Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beach Park has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #13 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beach Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Beach Park since 2004, $220K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Beach Park 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 Beach Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beach Park’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 Beach Park?
By FEMA money that reached Beach Park, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 43 households applied for aid, $81K approved, and $7K to the Village of Beach Park for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Beach Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Beach Park’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beach Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beach Park’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.