Photo: Dwatling98 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in McHenry Township than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McHenry Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #620 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 173 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 McHenry Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What McHenry Township 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 McHenry Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in McHenry Township, and McHenry Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #620 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McHenry Township’s residents live in 9 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, McHenry Township has more expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.5M a year in losses across McHenry Township: $18.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McHenry Township flood? Yes: 173 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McHenry Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms36 claims · $643K
- The Midwest Flooding7 claims · $26K
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $2K
McHenry Township 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to McHenry Township
Disasters that paid out in McHenry Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to McHenry Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$2K to McHenry Township 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 McHenry Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McHenry Township archive →McHenry Township and its neighbors
McHenry Township is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Valley | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Greenwood Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wauconda Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Nunda Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 228 |
| Grant Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 277 |
| McHenry Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 173 |
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 McHenry Township 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 McHenry Township
Is McHenry Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McHenry Township has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #620 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 McHenry Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 173 claims in McHenry Township since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (36).
Is McHenry Township 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 McHenry Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McHenry Township’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 McHenry Township?
By FEMA money that reached McHenry Township, Record Snow and Near Record Snow (2008): $2K to McHenry Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 36 paid, $643K.
Is McHenry Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and McHenry Township’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McHenry Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McHenry Township’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.