Enter any address in Lake County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lake County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 47 recorded flash flood events, alongside 39 general flood events and 5 lakeshore flood events. Recent examples include widespread localized flash flooding in June 2024, where rainfall totals of 3-6 inches were reported in northeast Illinois, and July 2024, when a derecho brought torrential rainfall and flash flooding to the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with 1361 claims averaging a payout of $13,014 and an average water depth of 2.1 feet. While Zone X areas have seen fewer claims, they still represent a significant number of payouts. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in other flood zones or with properties near water bodies, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
26 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lake County, Illinois has recorded 91 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 47 flash floods and 39 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2008 |
| Record Snow And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Illinois Winter Snow Storms | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Winter Storm 1/1/99 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 11, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 28, 2024
Scattered thunderstorms moved across northern Illinois on May 28th producing isolated flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2024
A line of severe thunderstorms dropped south across northern Illinois during the evening and night of the 22nd. The line produced four EF-0 tornadoes in addition to widespread wind damage across the Chicago metro. Many also saw torrential rainfall and localized flash flooding, particularly in extreme northeast Illinois north of the I-90 corridor where a widespread 3-6 of rain fell.
Flood — Jul 15, 2024
A derecho moved across northern Illinois during the evening of July 15th producing widespread wind damage and 30 tornadoes in northeast Illinois. One of these tornadoes crossed into northwest Indiana. At the height of the storms, 430,000 customers lost power with some power not restored for four days, on July 19th.
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2024
A derecho moved across northern Illinois during the evening of July 15th producing widespread wind damage and 30 tornadoes in northeast Illinois. One of these tornadoes crossed into northwest Indiana. At the height of the storms, 430,000 customers lost power with some power not restored for four days, on July 19th.
Flash Flood — May 13, 2024
Scattered thunderstorms moved across parts of northern Illinois during the afternoon of May 13th which caused isolated wind damage and flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Lake County, Illinois:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Lake County, Illinois that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.