Enter any address in Will County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is a significant concern in Will County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 86 flood events and 65 flash flood events, resulting in three fatalities. Recent events include widespread flooding across the Chicago metro area in August 2025, with torrential rainfall causing damage to schools and an estimated $288 million in damages across the region. In July 2025, torrential rainfall also led to widespread flash flooding in northern Illinois.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a substantial number of claims in Will County. Zone A, typically areas with higher flood risk, has the highest number of claims at 1,241, with an average payout of $10,044 and an average water depth of 2.4 feet. Zone X, which includes areas with moderate flood risk, also has a significant number of claims, with Zone X alone accounting for 178 claims and an average payout of $12,296.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk. These zones have seen a notable number of NFIP claims, indicating a history of flood damage and associated financial losses.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
46 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Will County, Illinois has recorded 151 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 65 flash floods and 86 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 (1967–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Floodng | Flood | Jul 13, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | Nov 17, 2013 |
| 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 | Sep 13, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Apr 20, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2025 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2025 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2025 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 25, 2024 | 250.00K |
Flood — Jul 25, 2025
Isolated thunderstorms produced funnel clouds across central Illinois during the late morning of July 25th. A narrow line of thunderstorms developed over southeast DuPage and central Cook Counties during the late morning of July 25th and continued into the early afternoon producing torrential rainfall and widespread flash flooding. Scattered thunderstorms moved across portions of northern Ill...
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.
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2025
During the afternoon and evening of the 18th, a few rounds of thunderstorms brought torrential rainfall to much of northern Illinois resulting in flash flooding. One particularly strong storm also produced damaging winds in DeKalb County. Initial reports estimate $8.8 million in flood damages around northern and northeast Illinois, and around $2.5 million in the city of Chicago alone.
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2025
A series of thunderstorms brought torrential rainfall and widespread flooding to much of the Chicago metro area, namely the south and west suburbs and up into the city of Chicago. Several Oswego District 308 schools received water and storm damage. Flood damages were estimated at around $288 million across the metro area, most of which came from the city of Chicago which alone accounted for rou...
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2025
Training thunderstorms brought several rounds of torrential rainfall to portions of northeast Illinois on the 12th, especially around the interior Chicago metro area. Street flooding was reported around a number of municipalities. Nearly 500 service requests were made to the city of Chicago for water in basements. One person was also injured at Montrose Beach as lightning struck nearby.
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 Will 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 Will 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.