More hazard damage per building is expected in Island Lake than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Island Lake gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #737 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Island Lake 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 Island Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Island Lake, and Island Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
D #737 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Island Lake’s residents live in 4 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, Island Lake has more expected damage per building than 96% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Island Lake: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Island Lake flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Island Lake, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $743
Island Lake 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Island Lake
Disasters that paid out in Island Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Island Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$5K to the Village of Island Lake for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Village of Island Lake for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$16K to the Village of Island Lake for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Island Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Island Lake archive →Island Lake and its neighbors
Island Lake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island Lake | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Port Barrington | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
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 Island Lake 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 Island Lake
Is Island Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Island Lake has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #737 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Island Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Island Lake since 2007, $743 in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Erin (1).
Is Island Lake 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 Island Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Island Lake’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 Island Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Island Lake, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $28K to the Village of Island Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Erin: 1 paid, $743.
Is Island Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Island Lake’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Island Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Island Lake’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.