Photo: AlphaBeta135 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Round Lake Beach than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Round Lake Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #532 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 112 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 Round Lake Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Round Lake Beach 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 Round Lake Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Round Lake Beach, and Round Lake Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C #532 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Round Lake Beach’s residents live in 7 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, Round Lake Beach has more expected damage per building than 69% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Round Lake Beach: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Round Lake Beach flood? Yes: 112 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Round Lake Beach, from FEMA’s records: 12.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding25 claims · $167K
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $41K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $2K
Round Lake Beach 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 Round Lake Beach
Disasters that paid out in Round Lake Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Round Lake Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$68K to the Village of Round Lake Beach for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the Village of Round Lake Beach for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$30K to the Village of Round Lake Beach for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$64K to the Village of Round Lake Beach for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$792 aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$24K to the Village of Round Lake Beach for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$12K to the Village of Round Lake Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Round Lake Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Round Lake Beach archive →Round Lake Beach and its neighbors
Round Lake Beach is 8th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venetian Village | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Round Lake | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Grayslake | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Round Lake Park | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lake Villa Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Lake Villa | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Avon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Round Lake Beach | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
| Round Lake Heights | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Long Lake | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Grant Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 277 |
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 Round Lake Beach 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 Round Lake Beach
Is Round Lake Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Round Lake Beach has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #532 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Round Lake Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 112 claims in Round Lake Beach since 1981, $1.1M in all, or 12.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (25).
Is Round Lake Beach 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 Round Lake Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Round Lake Beach’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 Round Lake Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Round Lake Beach, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 33 households applied for aid, $64K approved, and $68K to the Village of Round Lake Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 25 paid, $167K.
Is Round Lake Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Round Lake Beach’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Round Lake Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Round Lake Beach’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.