Photo: Teemu08 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lake Bluff faces less hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Bluff gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #5 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2017.
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 Lake Bluff’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Bluff, and Lake Bluff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #5 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Bluff’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, Lake Bluff has less expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Lake Bluff: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Bluff flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Bluff, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff
Disasters that paid out in Lake Bluff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lake Bluff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Village of Lake Bluff for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Village of Lake Bluff for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$16K to the Village of Lake Bluff for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$982 aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the Village of Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Bluff archive →Lake Bluff and its neighbors
Lake Bluff is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Chicago | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| Shields Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Lake Bluff | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Knollwood | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lake Forest | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Libertyville Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
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 Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff
Is Lake Bluff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Bluff has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #5 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Bluff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Lake Bluff since 2017, $24K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Bluff’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 Lake Bluff?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Bluff, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $25K to the Village of Lake Bluff for repairs.
Is Lake Bluff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Lake Bluff’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Bluff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Bluff’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.