FEMA puts Vernon Hills’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon Hills gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #49 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2006.
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 Vernon Hills 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 Vernon Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vernon Hills, and Vernon Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #49 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vernon Hills’ 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, Vernon Hills has less expected damage per building than 94% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.8M a year in losses across Vernon Hills: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vernon Hills flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vernon Hills, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Vernon Hills 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vernon Hills
Disasters that paid out in Vernon Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Vernon Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the Village of Vernon Hills for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$65K to the Village of Vernon Hills for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$18K to the Village of Vernon Hills for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$23K to the Village of Vernon Hills 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 Vernon Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vernon Hills archive →Vernon Hills and its neighbors
Vernon Hills is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mundelein | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Vernon Hills | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Long Grove | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Libertyville | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Buffalo Grove | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Lincolnshire | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Mettawa | — | 663 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| 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 Vernon Hills 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 Vernon Hills
Is Vernon Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon Hills has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #49 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vernon Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Vernon Hills since 2006, $245 in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Vernon Hills 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 Vernon Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vernon Hills’ 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 Vernon Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Vernon Hills, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $69K to the Village of Vernon Hills for repairs.
Is Vernon Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Vernon Hills’ rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vernon Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vernon Hills’ 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.