On FEMA’s figures, Grayslake faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grayslake gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #238 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1986.
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 Grayslake 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 Grayslake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grayslake, and Grayslake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #238 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grayslake’s residents live in 9 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, Grayslake has less expected damage per building than 69% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Grayslake: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grayslake flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grayslake, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grayslake 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 Grayslake
Disasters that paid out in Grayslake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Grayslake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$108K to the Village of Grayslake for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$73K to the Village of Grayslake for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$27K to the Village of Grayslake for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$31K to the Village of Grayslake 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 Grayslake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grayslake archive →Grayslake and its neighbors
Grayslake is 6th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mundelein | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Gages Lake | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Third Lake | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Libertyville | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Grayslake | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Round Lake Park | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lake Villa Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Hainesville | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Avon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Round Lake Beach | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
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 Grayslake 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 Grayslake
Is Grayslake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grayslake has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #238 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grayslake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Grayslake since 1986, $719K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Grayslake 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 Grayslake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grayslake’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 Grayslake?
By FEMA money that reached Grayslake, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $108K to the Village of Grayslake for repairs.
Is Grayslake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Grayslake’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grayslake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grayslake’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.