FEMA puts Johnsburg’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnsburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #641 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Johnsburg 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 Johnsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnsburg, and Johnsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #641 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Johnsburg’s residents live in 5 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, Johnsburg has more expected damage per building than 83% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Johnsburg: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnsburg flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Johnsburg, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms11 claims · $131K
Johnsburg 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Johnsburg
Disasters that paid out in Johnsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Johnsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$3K to the Village of Johnsburg for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Village of Johnsburg for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the Village of Johnsburg for repairs
- 2006Snow$7K to the Village of Johnsburg for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$4K to the Village of Johnsburg for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to the Village of Johnsburg for repairs1 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 Johnsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnsburg archive →Johnsburg and its neighbors
Johnsburg is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wonder Lake | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| McHenry | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Johnsburg | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lakemoor | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pistakee Highlands | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Ringwood | — | 730 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| McCullom Lake | — | 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 Johnsburg 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 Johnsburg
Is Johnsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnsburg has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #641 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Johnsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Johnsburg since 1979, $577K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (11).
Is Johnsburg 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 Johnsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Johnsburg’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 Johnsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Johnsburg, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $17K to the Village of Johnsburg for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 11 paid, $131K.
Is Johnsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Johnsburg’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnsburg’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.