FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Shields Township than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shields Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #2 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 102 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 stands out about Shields Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shields 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 Shields Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shields Township, and Shields Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #2 of 768 in Illinois; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shields Township’s residents live in 10 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, Shields Township has less expected damage per building than 100% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Shields Township: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shields Township flood? Yes: 102 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shields Township, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $7K
Shields 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: Lake County.The storms Shields Township remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Lake County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Shields Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 202038 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 201931 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 201713 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county 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 Shields Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shields Township archive →Shields Township and its neighbors
Shields Township is 2nd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Knollwood | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Green Oaks | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Moraine Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Lake Forest | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Libertyville Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| West Deerfield Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 179 |
| 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 Shields 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 Shields Township
Is Shields Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shields Township has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shields Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 102 claims in Shields Township since 1979, $509K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Shields 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 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 Shields Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shields 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 Shields Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Shields Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Shields Township’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shields Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shields 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.