Photo: 22thecrobot · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Zion faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zion gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #7 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1978.
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 Zion 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 Zion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zion, and Zion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #7 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zion’s residents live in 10 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, Zion has less expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Zion: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zion flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Zion, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $58K
Zion 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zion
Disasters that paid out in Zion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Zion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding544 households applied for aid$930K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to the City of Zion for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$30K to the City of Zion for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$16K to the City of Zion for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$18K to the City of Zion 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 Zion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zion archive →Zion and its neighbors
Zion has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. 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 |
| Winthrop Harbor | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| 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 |
| Wadsworth | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| 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 Zion 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 Zion
Is Zion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zion has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #7 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Zion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Zion since 1978, $104K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Zion 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 Zion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Zion’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 Zion?
By FEMA money that reached Zion, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 544 households applied for aid, $930K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $58K.
Is Zion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Zion’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zion’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.