Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Wadsworth faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wadsworth gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #19 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2004.
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 Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wadsworth, and Wadsworth’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 #19 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wadsworth’s residents live in 3 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, Wadsworth has less expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Wadsworth: $696K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wadsworth flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wadsworth, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $9K
Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth
Disasters that paid out in Wadsworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wadsworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$6K to the Village of Wadsworth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$39K to the Village of Wadsworth for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$27K to the Village of Wadsworth for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$8K to the Village of Wadsworth for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the Village of Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wadsworth archive →Wadsworth and its neighbors
Wadsworth is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Benton Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Beach Park | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Newport Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Waukegan | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Wadsworth | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Gurnee | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Zion 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 Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth
Is Wadsworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wadsworth has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #19 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wadsworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Wadsworth since 2004, $18K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wadsworth’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 Wadsworth?
By FEMA money that reached Wadsworth, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $39K to the Village of Wadsworth for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Wadsworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Wadsworth’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wadsworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wadsworth’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.