Less hazard damage per building is expected in Mundelein than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mundelein gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #21 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1979.
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 Mundelein 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 Mundelein’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mundelein, and Mundelein’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #21 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mundelein’s residents live in 8 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, Mundelein has less expected damage per building than 97% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Mundelein: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mundelein flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mundelein, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mundelein 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 Mundelein
Disasters that paid out in Mundelein itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Mundelein), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$26K to the Village of Mundelein for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$49K to the Village of Mundelein for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$241 aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$39K to the Village of Mundelein for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$28K to the Village of Mundelein for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$30K to the Village of Mundelein 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 Mundelein after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mundelein archive →Mundelein and its neighbors
Mundelein has the lowest expected damage per building of the 8 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mundelein | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Fremont Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Vernon Hills | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hawthorn Woods | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Libertyville Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Long Grove | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Libertyville | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Grayslake | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Indian Creek | — | 874 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Mundelein 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 Mundelein
Is Mundelein at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mundelein has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #21 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mundelein flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Mundelein since 1979, $860K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mundelein 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 Mundelein?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mundelein’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 Mundelein?
By FEMA money that reached Mundelein, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $49K to the Village of Mundelein for repairs.
Is Mundelein at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Mundelein’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mundelein.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mundelein’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.