Photo: edward P. steinburg desnged · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Waukegan than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waukegan gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #16 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1993.
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 Waukegan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waukegan 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 Waukegan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waukegan, and Waukegan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #16 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waukegan’s residents live in 26 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, Waukegan has less expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.0M a year in losses across Waukegan: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waukegan flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waukegan, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $224K
Waukegan 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waukegan
Disasters that paid out in Waukegan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waukegan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding479 households applied for aid$456K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$146K to the City of Waukegan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$129K to the City of Waukegan for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$106K to the City of Waukegan for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$130K to the City of Waukegan 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 Waukegan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waukegan archive →Waukegan and its neighbors
Waukegan is 5th of the 10 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 |
| Park City | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| 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 |
| Green Oaks | Aless damage than 89% | 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 |
| 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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan
Is Waukegan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waukegan has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #16 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waukegan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Waukegan since 1993, $1.3M in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Waukegan 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 Waukegan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waukegan’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 Waukegan?
By FEMA money that reached Waukegan, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 479 households applied for aid, $456K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $224K.
Is Waukegan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Waukegan’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waukegan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waukegan’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.