Illinois flood insurance and flood history
From FEMA's flood insurance and disaster data · Updated 2026-10-08
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data lists 52,890 flood insurance claims in Illinois since 1978. The NFIP paid $596.0 million on them (building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments, in the dollars of the year paid).
The year with the most claims was 2008, with 5,357, mostly from Hurricane Ike.
In the last ten years (2017–2026) there were 4,487 claims, and the average paid claim was $25,505.
24% of the claims with a recorded flood zone came from buildings outside FEMA's high-risk zones (rated zones B, C and X).
About 0.5% of homes in Illinois had an NFIP flood policy in FEMA's latest count (21,080 of 3,952,182 residential buildings). In the high-risk flood zones (Special Flood Hazard Areas), it was 25% (14,390 of 57,540).
Since 2000, FEMA has made 17 flood-related disaster declarations covering parts of Illinois. The most recent was DR-4819-IL (Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng), declared September 20, 2024.
Flood insurance claims in Illinois by year
Show as a table
| Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 281 | $3.7 million |
| 2025 | 96 | $1.5 million |
| 2024 | 278 | $5.1 million |
| 2023 | 213 | $2.4 million |
| 2022 | 184 | $3.1 million |
| 2021 | 135 | $1.4 million |
| 2020 | 633 | $10.2 million |
| 2019 | 1,051 | $25.3 million |
| 2018 | 628 | $15.5 million |
| 2017 | 988 | $19.1 million |
| 2016 | 215 | $1.9 million |
| 2015 | 992 | $12.3 million |
| 2014 | 668 | $6.0 million |
| 2013 | 4,402 | $96.1 million |
| 2012 | 74 | $369,368 |
| 2011 | 1,210 | $17.7 million |
| 2010 | 2,100 | $28.3 million |
| 2009 | 582 | $5.8 million |
| 2008 | 5,357 | $110.9 million |
| 2007 | 1,094 | $13.9 million |
| 2006 | 634 | $6.7 million |
| 2005 | 199 | $1.2 million |
| 2004 | 257 | $2.4 million |
| 2003 | 314 | $938,426 |
| 2002 | 739 | $5.6 million |
| 2001 | 894 | $7.9 million |
| 2000 | 343 | $1.8 million |
| 1999 | 337 | $1.5 million |
| 1998 | 295 | $958,041 |
| 1997 | 1,329 | $7.6 million |
| 1996 | 2,621 | $23.7 million |
| 1995 | 726 | $4.5 million |
| 1994 | 441 | $2.9 million |
| 1993 | 4,083 | $67.4 million |
| 1992 | 56 | $79,377 |
| 1991 | 158 | $520,910 |
| 1990 | 723 | $2.8 million |
| 1989 | 213 | $575,511 |
| 1988 | 97 | $247,828 |
| 1987 | 1,684 | $15.5 million |
| 1986 | 1,217 | $8.1 million |
| 1985 | 1,908 | $8.3 million |
| 1984 | 328 | $1.0 million |
| 1983 | 1,866 | $5.8 million |
| 1982 | 4,101 | $15.0 million |
| 1981 | 1,397 | $4.2 million |
| 1980 | 396 | $740,239 |
| 1979 | 3,704 | $15.8 million |
| 1978 | 649 | $1.3 million |
Biggest flood events by NFIP payments
The flood events FEMA's claims data names most often for Illinois, ranked by what the NFIP paid. FEMA names events in its claims records; claims without an event name aren't included here.
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-spring storms | 2013 | 3,921 | $90.4 million |
| Midwest Flooding | 1993 | 2,892 | $60.5 million |
| Hurricane Ike | 2008 | 2,799 | $54.7 million |
| Flooding | 1996 | 1,737 | $18.6 million |
| Flooding | 1987 | 1,576 | $15.4 million |
| Flooding | 1982 | 1,852 | $7.8 million |
| Flooding | 1986 | 1,026 | $7.7 million |
| Flooding | 1985 | 1,586 | $7.5 million |
| Mid-spring storms | 2011 | 330 | $5.9 million |
| Flooding | 1997 | 867 | $5.3 million |
What flood insurance costs in Illinois
On June 30, 2026, 30,297 NFIP flood insurance policies were in force in Illinois. For the 18,949 single-family homes among them, the typical (median) yearly cost was about $1,140; the average was $1,310.
| Rated flood zone | Policies | Typical yearly cost, single-family home | Average cost | Average building coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-risk zones (A and V) | 22,069 | $1,260 | $1,480 | $164,000 |
| Moderate- and low-risk zones (B, C and X) | 8,221 | $960 | $970 | $212,000 |
Cost here is what FEMA's data lists as the policy cost: the premium plus the reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge. It covers single-family homes only (not condos, apartments or businesses), with costs rounded to the nearest $10 and shown only where at least 20 homes back the figure. Your own price depends on your building and the coverage you choose; see how flood insurance is priced. Private flood insurance isn't included.
Policies and average cost by exact flood zone
Flood history by county
Every Illinois county in FEMA's data, sorted by number of NFIP claims since 1978. "Insured" is the share of homes with an NFIP policy; "typical NFIP cost" is the median yearly cost for single-family homes.
| County | Claims | Paid | Insured | Typical NFIP cost | Flood declarations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 15,260 | $139.8 million | 0.5% | $1,160 | 7 |
| DuPage County | 3,607 | $55.6 million | 0.6% | $1,040 | 3 |
| Peoria County | 2,547 | $23.6 million | 0.4% | $1,040 | 2 |
| Lake County | 2,456 | $28.7 million | 0.8% | $1,160 | 3 |
| Will County | 2,295 | $21.1 million | 0.5% | $1,210 | 4 |
| Rock Island County | 2,132 | $20.2 million | 1.3% | $710 | 4 |
| Jersey County | 1,869 | $24.4 million | 0.9% | $1,290 | 3 |
| Winnebago County | 1,729 | $27.3 million | 0.6% | $1,360 | 5 |
| Calhoun County | 1,690 | $16.8 million | 3.1% | $1,060 | 6 |
| St. Clair County | 1,469 | $7.8 million | 1.0% | $1,060 | 5 |
| Madison County | 1,087 | $8.0 million | 0.8% | $1,210 | 3 |
| McHenry County | 987 | $7.6 million | 0.7% | $1,190 | 1 |
| Kane County | 929 | $11.6 million | 0.4% | $1,190 | 3 |
| Iroquois County | 840 | $16.9 million | 2.0% | $1,360 | 2 |
| Kankakee County | 695 | $10.2 million | 0.8% | $1,560 | 0 |
| Monroe County | 689 | $22.7 million | 1.0% | $1,090 | 5 |
| LaSalle County | 680 | $12.7 million | 0.5% | $1,210 | 3 |
| Woodford County | 518 | $5.1 million | 0.6% | $940 | 3 |
| Mason County | 452 | $3.4 million | 0.6% | $1,110 | 3 |
| Alexander County | 444 | $3.2 million | 3.4% | $890 | 4 |
| Henderson County | 412 | $11.5 million | 2.1% | $1,110 | 4 |
| DeKalb County | 404 | $4.6 million | 0.5% | $1,240 | 3 |
| Adams County | 374 | $13.7 million | 0.3% | $1,010 | 7 |
| Fulton County | 369 | $2.8 million | 0.2% | $1,340 | 5 |
| Tazewell County | 345 | $1.9 million | 0.2% | $1,110 | 2 |
| Jo Daviess County | 343 | $3.9 million | 0.3% | $1,110 | 2 |
| Pike County | 335 | $7.2 million | 1.2% | $1,210 | 8 |
| Grundy County | 333 | $6.4 million | 0.8% | $1,360 | 3 |
| Ogle County | 308 | $3.5 million | 0.7% | $1,290 | 2 |
| Sangamon County | 293 | $3.7 million | 0.2% | $1,010 | 2 |
| Hancock County | 288 | $5.9 million | 0.7% | $860 | 7 |
| Whiteside County | 287 | $2.3 million | 0.7% | $790 | 4 |
| Livingston County | 282 | $2.0 million | 1.2% | $1,410 | 2 |
| Morgan County | 242 | $1.6 million | 0.6% | $1,310 | 4 |
| Williamson County | 239 | $2.1 million | 0.5% | $910 | 3 |
| Henry County | 238 | $1.7 million | 0.4% | $810 | 3 |
| Champaign County | 235 | $2.1 million | 0.3% | $1,190 | 1 |
| Douglas County | 209 | $1.2 million | 1.2% | $1,510 | 4 |
| Macon County | 208 | $1.4 million | 0.2% | $1,360 | 2 |
| Stephenson County | 193 | $3.6 million | 0.3% | $1,240 | 3 |
| McLean County | 188 | $1.7 million | 0.2% | $1,090 | 0 |
| Randolph County | 182 | $2.7 million | 1.2% | $1,010 | 5 |
| Kendall County | 175 | $3.1 million | 0.2% | $1,240 | 2 |
| Cass County | 167 | $979,590 | 2.5% | $1,260 | 4 |
| Lee County | 142 | $730,450 | 0.6% | $1,060 | 1 |
| Jackson County | 118 | $2.1 million | 0.6% | $1,210 | 4 |
| Massac County | 110 | $2.4 million | 2.1% | $690 | 3 |
| Union County | 109 | $443,119 | 0.9% | $910 | 5 |
| Vermilion County | 103 | $2.2 million | 0.2% | $1,240 | 2 |
| Schuyler County | 93 | $326,830 | 0.3% | n/a | 5 |
| White County | 88 | $1.5 million | 0.8% | $740 | 2 |
| Marshall County | 81 | $736,559 | 0.4% | $890 | 1 |
| Greene County | 77 | $1.5 million | 0.2% | n/a | 6 |
| Bureau County | 73 | $243,930 | 0.4% | $840 | 3 |
| Putnam County | 66 | $1.1 million | 0.3% | n/a | 1 |
| Coles County | 62 | $710,406 | 0.3% | $1,190 | 3 |
| Mercer County | 61 | $1.4 million | 0.2% | n/a | 4 |
| Franklin County | 60 | $549,037 | 0.3% | $760 | 3 |
| De Witt County | 59 | $377,137 | 0.3% | $1,160 | 2 |
| Logan County | 58 | $113,428 | 0.3% | $990 | 2 |
| Carroll County | 57 | $806,505 | 0.1% | n/a | 4 |
| Gallatin County | 47 | $869,820 | 0.8% | n/a | 3 |
| Macoupin County | 47 | $272,097 | 0.1% | n/a | 2 |
| Boone County | 46 | $271,254 | 0.3% | $860 | 0 |
| Knox County | 40 | $392,051 | 0.1% | $1,210 | 3 |
| Menard County | 35 | $162,371 | 0.2% | n/a | 1 |
| Brown County | 32 | $438,494 | 0.2% | n/a | 3 |
| Pulaski County | 32 | $168,261 | 1.3% | $740 | 3 |
| Clinton County | 29 | $645,873 | 0.2% | $960 | 1 |
| Marion County | 29 | $548,341 | 0.1% | n/a | 2 |
| Scott County | 29 | $131,801 | 0.7% | n/a | 6 |
| Saline County | 28 | $486,752 | 0.8% | $790 | 3 |
| Crawford County | 26 | $537,701 | 0.2% | $890 | 3 |
| Warren County | 26 | $193,253 | 0.4% | $660 | 3 |
| Richland County | 25 | $198,525 | 0.1% | n/a | 1 |
| Lawrence County | 23 | $272,258 | 0.2% | n/a | 4 |
| Montgomery County | 22 | $288,054 | 0.0% | n/a | 2 |
| Moultrie County | 20 | $120,662 | 0.6% | $1,040 | 3 |
| Piatt County | 19 | $363,756 | 0.4% | $1,340 | 1 |
| Clark County | 18 | $208,531 | 0.1% | n/a | 4 |
| Hardin County | 16 | $209,904 | 0.2% | n/a | 2 |
| McDonough County | 16 | $132,983 | 0.1% | n/a | 4 |
| Christian County | 14 | $197,744 | 0.1% | n/a | 2 |
| Jefferson County | 13 | $261,523 | 0.2% | n/a | 2 |
| Wayne County | 12 | $71,380 | 0.2% | n/a | 2 |
| Perry County | 11 | $64,582 | 0.1% | n/a | 2 |
| Jasper County | 10 | $160,951 | 0.1% | n/a | 2 |
| Wabash County | 10 | $30,378 | 0.2% | n/a | 2 |
| Washington County | 8 | $174,306 | 0.1% | n/a | 4 |
| Bond County | 6 | $282,175 | 0.1% | n/a | 1 |
| Edgar County | 5 | $41,921 | 0.1% | n/a | 3 |
| Hamilton County | 5 | $37,443 | 0.0% | n/a | 3 |
| Clay County | 4 | $28,581 | 0.1% | n/a | 1 |
| Effingham County | 4 | $52,263 | 0.1% | n/a | 1 |
| Fayette County | 3 | $4,323 | 0.0% | n/a | 1 |
| Johnson County | 3 | $19,821 | 0.1% | n/a | 1 |
| Shelby County | 3 | $64,185 | 0.0% | n/a | 2 |
| Cumberland County | 2 | $12,611 | 0.0% | n/a | 3 |
| Ford County | 2 | $3,539 | 0.1% | n/a | 1 |
| Pope County | 1 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 3 |
| Stark County | 1 | $0 | 0.2% | n/a | 1 |
| Edwards County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 1 |
Flood-related FEMA disaster declarations in Illinois
Declarations since 2000 that FEMA lists as involving flooding. "Help for individuals" means FEMA's Individual Assistance was approved for at least part of the area.
| Declaration | Declared | Event | Help for individuals |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4819-IL | Sep 20, 2024 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng | Yes |
| DR-4749-IL | Nov 20, 2023 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4728-IL | Aug 15, 2023 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4676-IL | Oct 14, 2022 | Severe Storm and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4461-IL | Sep 19, 2019 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-4116-IL | May 10, 2013 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1991-IL | Jun 7, 2011 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1935-IL | Aug 19, 2010 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1850-IL | Jul 2, 2009 | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes | No |
| DR-1800-IL | Oct 3, 2008 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1771-IL | Jun 24, 2008 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1747-IL | Mar 7, 2008 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1729-IL | Sep 25, 2007 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1722-IL | Aug 30, 2007 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1469-IL | May 15, 2003 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1416-IL | May 21, 2002 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1368-IL | May 9, 2001 | Flooding | Yes |
What to do with this
A county's history doesn't tell you your own building's risk. To see your property's flood zone, use FEMA's flood map lookup. To weigh coverage, start with do I need flood insurance? and what flood insurance costs.
Where these numbers come from
All figures on this page are calculated from FEMA's public OpenFEMA datasets:
- NFIP Redacted Claims (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP claims since 1978, downloaded 2026-10-08. Dollar amounts are what the NFIP paid, not adjusted for inflation. Claims filed under private flood insurance aren't included.
- NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (v1) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP residential policy contracts in force (as of August 3, 2026) divided by FEMA's count of residential buildings from the National Structure Inventory. FEMA notes that inventory is incomplete in some counties, which can inflate the rate. Private flood policies aren't counted.
- NFIP Redacted Policies (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP policies in force on June 30, 2026 (a policy counts if its term covers that date and it wasn't cancelled), downloaded 2026-10-08. Policy counts are FEMA's insured units, so a condominium association policy counts each unit. Costs are FEMA's "policy cost" (premium plus reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge) for single-family homes only. Policies FEMA's data doesn't place in a county count toward the state only.
- Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): disaster declarations, downloaded 2026-10-08. We count a declaration as flood-related when FEMA lists flooding (or a dam or levee break) as its incident type or a designated incident type, or the declaration's title mentions flooding.
FEMA's redacted claims data doesn't identify properties, and FEMA notes that some records lack a county or flood zone. See how we use the data.