Enter any address in Livingston County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Livingston County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 26 flood events and 20 flash flood events. Recent examples include scattered thunderstorms causing isolated flooding on May 13, 2024, and torrential rainfall leading to widespread flooding on June 26, 2021.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $6,993 and an average water depth of 6.8 feet. While Zone X claims are fewer, they have a significantly higher average payout of $18,702, suggesting potential for substantial damage even in areas with a lower flood risk designation.
Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk. Residents with properties located near waterways or in areas prone to heavy rainfall should be particularly aware of potential flood hazards.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Livingston County, Illinois has recorded 46 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 26 river or area floods. The county has received 11 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2020)
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 | Jan 7, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Illinois Winter Snow Storms | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Winter Storm 1/1/99 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
| Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 14, 1990 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 13, 1982 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 17, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 15, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 18, 2025
A large system of low pressure produced widespread thunderstorms which impacted northern Illinois on the 18th. The storms produced damaging winds and torrential rainfall leading to instances of minor flooding during the early afternoon with additional heavy rain continuing into the evening.
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.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2021
Thunderstorms moved across portions of northeast and east central Illinois from mid morning through early evening on June 26th. Torrential rainfall with these thunderstorms caused flooding in many areas. Two tornadoes also occurred, one in Chatsworth and one in Crete.
Flood — Jun 24, 2021
Slow moving thunderstorms produce heavy rain across portions of central Illinois between Interstate 55 and Interstate 57 from mid morning through early afternoon on June 24th. Flooding was reported in some areas of Livingston County.
Flash Flood — May 17, 2020
Heavy rain fell across many areas of northeast Illinois on May 17th producing widespread flooding which continued into May 18th. Two brief tornadoes also occurred during the afternoon of May 17th. Scattered showers produced a few funnel clouds on May 18th. Some of the highest 48 hour rainfall totals ending Monday morning May 18th included 8.61 inches in River Forest; 5.18 inches near Oak For...
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 Livingston 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 Livingston 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.