Photo: Locallllll · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Lake in the Hills’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake in the Hills gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #205 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1978.
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 in the Hills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lake in the Hills 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 in the Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake in the Hills, and Lake in the Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #205 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake in the Hills’ 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, Lake in the Hills has less expected damage per building than 73% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.4M a year in losses across Lake in the Hills: $7.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake in the Hills flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake in the Hills, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding9 claims · $94K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
Lake in the Hills is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: McHenry County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake in the Hills
Disasters that paid out in Lake in the Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lake in the Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$8K to the Village of Lake in the Hills for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the Village of Lake in the Hills for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$36K to the Village of Lake in the Hills for repairs
- 2006Snow$19K to the Village of Lake in the Hills for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$12K to the Village of Lake in the Hills for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$15K to the Village of Lake in the Hills for repairs3 flood claims 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 Lake in the Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake in the Hills archive →Lake in the Hills and its neighbors
Lake in the Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Algonquin | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Lake in the Hills | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Huntley | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cary | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 in the Hills 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.
- Lake in the Hills residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lake in the Hills
Is Lake in the Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake in the Hills has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #205 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake in the Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Lake in the Hills since 1978, $173K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (9).
Is Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills?
Lake in the Hills is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Lake in the Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Lake in the Hills, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $54K to the Village of Lake in the Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 9 paid, $94K.
Is Lake in the Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Lake in the Hills’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake in the Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake in the Hills’ 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.