On FEMA’s figures, Chemung Township faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chemung Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #37 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1993.
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 Chemung 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 Chemung Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chemung Township, and Chemung Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A #37 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chemung Township’s residents live in 2 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, Chemung Township has less expected damage per building than 95% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Chemung Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chemung Township flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chemung Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $11K
Chemung 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: McHenry County.The storms Chemung Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for McHenry County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Chemung Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20134 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for McHenry County
- 19992 flood claims paidThe year of Il-winter Storm 1/1/99, declared for McHenry County
- 19931 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for McHenry County
McHenry County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Chemung Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chemung Township archive →Chemung Township and its neighbors
Chemung Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunham Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Alden Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chemung Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Walworth | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| LeRoy Township | — | 390 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Chemung 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 Chemung Township
Is Chemung Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chemung Township has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #37 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chemung Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Chemung Township since 1993, $50K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Chemung 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 McHenry County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chemung Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chemung 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 Chemung Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $11K.
Is Chemung Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Chemung Township’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chemung Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chemung 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.