Photo: Dwatling98 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, McHenry faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McHenry gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #503 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 47 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 McHenry 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in McHenry, and McHenry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #503 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McHenry’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 has more expected damage per building than 65% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across McHenry: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McHenry flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McHenry, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $82K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
McHenry 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 McHenry
Disasters that paid out in McHenry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McHenry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding87 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$16K to the City of McHenry for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to the City of McHenry for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$51K to the City of McHenry for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Snow$28K to the City of McHenry for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$21K to the City of McHenry for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$27K to the City of McHenry for repairs2 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McHenry archive →McHenry and its neighbors
McHenry 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Valley | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wonder Lake | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| McHenry | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Prairie Grove | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Johnsburg | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| 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 McHenry 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
Is McHenry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McHenry has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #503 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McHenry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in McHenry since 1978, $319K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is McHenry 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McHenry’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?
By FEMA money that reached McHenry, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 87 households applied for aid, $126K approved, and $16K to the City of McHenry for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $82K.
Is McHenry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and McHenry’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McHenry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McHenry’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.