On FEMA’s figures, Loves Park faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loves Park gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #358 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 70 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 Loves Park 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
Hail
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 Loves Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Loves Park, and Loves Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #358 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Loves Park’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, Loves Park has less expected damage per building than 53% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.4M a year in losses across Loves Park: $7.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Loves Park flood? Sometimes: 70 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Loves Park, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Loves Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Loves Park
Disasters that paid out in Loves Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Loves Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng37 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the City of Loves Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$446 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$54K to the City of Loves Park for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$4K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$38K to the City of Loves Park for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$18K to the City of Loves Park for repairs
Winnebago County has had 16 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 Loves Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Loves Park archive →Loves Park and its neighbors
Loves Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loves Park | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Rockford | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 562 |
| Owen Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Harlem Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 488 |
| Machesney Park | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 378 |
| Argyle | — | 324 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Belvidere Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Rockford 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 Loves Park 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Loves Park
Is Loves Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loves Park has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #358 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Loves Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 70 claims in Loves Park since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Loves Park 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 Winnebago County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Loves Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Loves Park’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 Loves Park?
By FEMA money that reached Loves Park, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $54K to the City of Loves Park for repairs.
Is Loves Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Loves Park’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Loves Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Loves Park’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.