Photo: Jefe317 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Chicago than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Chicago gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 79 claims here since 1981.
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 North Chicago’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Chicago 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 North Chicago’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Chicago, and North Chicago’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 768 in Illinois; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Chicago’s residents live in 11 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, North Chicago has less expected damage per building than 100% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across North Chicago: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Chicago flood? Sometimes: 79 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Chicago, from FEMA’s records: 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $7K
North Chicago 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Chicago
Disasters that paid out in North Chicago itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Chicago), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding378 households applied for aid$374K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the City of North Chicago for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$6K to the City of North Chicago for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$29K to the City of North Chicago for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$17K to the City of North Chicago for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$21K to the City of North Chicago 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 North Chicago after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Chicago archive →North Chicago and its neighbors
North Chicago 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Chicago | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| Shields Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Lake Bluff | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Waukegan | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Libertyville Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Waukegan 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 North Chicago 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 North Chicago
Is North Chicago at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Chicago has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Chicago flood?
Flood insurance has paid 79 claims in North Chicago since 1981, $336K in all, or 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is North Chicago 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 North Chicago?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Chicago’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 North Chicago?
By FEMA money that reached North Chicago, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 378 households applied for aid, $374K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $7K.
Is North Chicago at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and North Chicago’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Chicago.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Chicago’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.