Henry I. Paddock House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Winthrop Harbor than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winthrop Harbor gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #9 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2009.
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 Winthrop Harbor 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 Winthrop Harbor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winthrop Harbor, and Winthrop Harbor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #9 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winthrop Harbor’s residents live in 4 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, Winthrop Harbor has less expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Winthrop Harbor: $777K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winthrop Harbor flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winthrop Harbor, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Winthrop Harbor 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 Winthrop Harbor
Disasters that paid out in Winthrop Harbor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Winthrop Harbor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Village of Winthrop Harbor for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$9K to the Village of Winthrop Harbor for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$8K to the Village of Winthrop Harbor 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 Winthrop Harbor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winthrop Harbor archive →Winthrop Harbor and its neighbors
Winthrop Harbor is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Prairie | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Zion | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Winthrop Harbor | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Benton Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| 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 Winthrop Harbor 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 Winthrop Harbor
Is Winthrop Harbor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winthrop Harbor has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #9 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winthrop Harbor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Winthrop Harbor since 2009, $28K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Winthrop Harbor 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 Winthrop Harbor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winthrop Harbor’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 Winthrop Harbor?
By FEMA money that reached Winthrop Harbor, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 12 households applied for aid, $27K approved.
Is Winthrop Harbor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Winthrop Harbor’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winthrop Harbor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winthrop Harbor’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.