FACT SHEET

Illinois Flood Fact Sheet

Spring and Summer Floods


Fast melting snow combined with severe storms and heavy rainfall has the potential to cause extensive flooding this spring–particularly in Illinois. 
Illinois has the largest inland system of rivers, lakes, and streams in the nation. With bodies of water throughout the state, Illinois is at a 
heightened flood risk in the spring and summer months. Property owners and renters need to be aware of these risks, and financially prepare for the 
damage floods can cause.

Now is the time for home and business owners to be reminded of the dangers of flooding and the importance of protecting their homes, businesses 
and assets with flood insurance – before the spring flooding season begins and it’s too late.

ILLINOIS FLOOD RISKS
Snow Melt. Spring thaw can produce large amounts of runoff in a short period of time, as each cubic foot of compacted snow contains gallons of water. 
Because the ground is hard and frozen, water cannot penetrate and be reabsorbed. The water then runs off the surface and flows into lakes, streams 
and rivers, causing excess water to spill over their banks.

Flash Flooding. A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas in less than six hours, which is caused by intense rainfall from a thunderstorm 
or several thunderstorms. Flash floods can also occur from the collapse of a man-made structure or ice dam. 

ILLINOIS FLOOD FACTS
In the past five years, Illinois experienced seven federally declared disasters. For example, flooding last summer lead to more than $300 million in 
disaster assistance. Also in June 2008, major Midwest floods caused widespread flood devastation across Illinois because of persistent heavy rains that 
caused levees to fail and rivers to overflow their banks. Illinois residents suffered more than $5.3 million in insured losses. 

Residents may also remember the Great Midwest Floods of 1993, which was one of the largest floods in U.S. history. From April through October of that year, 
nine Midwest states, including Illinois, suffered widespread flood devastation. The result was nearly $273 million in insured flood damage and an 
estimated $15 billion in total damages. Illinois residents suffered more than $2.6 billion in flood damages, with $60.7 million in insured losses.
Currently there are nearly 48,500 flood insurance policies in force in Illinois, approximately 27,000 of which are in high-risk areas.  However, many 
state residents remain at risk as barely one percent of households are covered by a flood insurance policy. 

Residents need to be reminded that most homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage - only flood insurance policies provide financial protection from 
flooding. Flood insurance policies typically take 30 days to become effective, so the time to get protected is now! 
	
BE FLOODSMART – REDUCE YOUR RISK
A flood does not have to be a catastrophic event to bring high out-of-pocket costs, and you do not have to live in a high-risk flood area to suffer 
flood damage. Illinois property owners should remember to:

Purchase a flood insurance policy if you do not already have one or review your current insurance policy to ensure your home and contents are 
adequately covered.

Not rely on disaster assistance. This is usually provided in the form of a loan, which must be paid back with interest.

Make a flood plan.  Plan evacuation routes.  Keep important papers in a safe, waterproof place. Conduct a home inventory; itemize and 
take pictures of possessions.

Visit FloodSmart.gov (or call 1-800-427-2419) to learn more about individual flood risk, explore coverage options and to find an agent in your area. 
Flood insurance may be more affordable than you think.  An average flood policy costs around $570 a year, and rates start as low as $129 a year for homes 
in moderate-to-low risk areas.