Photo: Kman2005 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Gurnee than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gurnee gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #51 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 86 claims here since 1979.
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 Gurnee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gurnee 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 Gurnee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gurnee, and Gurnee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #51 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gurnee’s residents live in 12 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, Gurnee has less expected damage per building than 93% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Gurnee: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gurnee flood? Sometimes: 86 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gurnee, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms7 claims · $512K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $6K
Gurnee is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lake County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gurnee
Disasters that paid out in Gurnee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Gurnee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$148K to the Village of Gurnee for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$87K to the Village of Gurnee for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$80K to the Village of Gurnee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$31K to the Village of Gurnee for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$35K to the Village of Gurnee 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 Gurnee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gurnee archive →Gurnee and its neighbors
Gurnee is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park City | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Waukegan | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Wadsworth | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Gages Lake | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Gurnee | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Third Lake | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grandwood Park | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 Gurnee 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.
- Gurnee residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gurnee
Is Gurnee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gurnee has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #51 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gurnee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 86 claims in Gurnee since 1979, $3.8M in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (7).
Is Gurnee 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 Gurnee?
Gurnee is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Gurnee?
By FEMA money that reached Gurnee, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 38 households applied for aid, $52K approved, and $148K to the Village of Gurnee for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 7 paid, $512K.
Is Gurnee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Gurnee’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gurnee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gurnee’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.