Photo: Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Dundee than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Dundee gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #82 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1986.
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 West Dundee 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 West Dundee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Dundee, and West Dundee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #82 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Dundee’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, West Dundee has less expected damage per building than 89% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across West Dundee: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Dundee flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Dundee, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Dundee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kane County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Dundee
Disasters that paid out in West Dundee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of West Dundee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Village of West Dundee for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$65K to the Village of West Dundee for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$10K to the Village of West Dundee for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$13K to the Village of West Dundee for repairs
Kane County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Dundee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Dundee archive →West Dundee and its neighbors
West Dundee is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleepy Hollow | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Carpentersville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Gilberts | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Dundee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Elgin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| East Dundee | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 West Dundee 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 West Dundee
Is West Dundee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Dundee has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #82 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Dundee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in West Dundee since 1986, $55K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Dundee 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 Kane County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Dundee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Dundee’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 West Dundee?
By FEMA money that reached West Dundee, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $65K to the Village of West Dundee for repairs.
Is West Dundee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and West Dundee’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Dundee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Dundee’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.