Skip to main content

Huntley, Illinois Flood Zones

Last updated: March 2026

Huntley faces flooding from the Kishwaukee River headwaters and Union Ditch in McHenry County. Heavy rainfall events cause creek and ditch overflows that affect residential areas in this rapidly growing community.

McHenry County has recorded 954 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $7.0M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.

FEMA Region

Region 5

NFIP Policies

926

McHenry County

Avg. Premium

$1,265/yr

McHenry County

FEMA Flood Risk Profile: McHenry County

Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.

Inland Flood Risk

Relatively Moderate

Est. annual loss: $85.1M

Hurricane Risk

Very Low

Est. annual loss: $3K

Social Vulnerability: Very Low
Community Resilience: Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.

Federal Flood Disaster History: McHenry County

McHenry County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.

2013Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingFlood
2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricane
1993Severe Storms & FloodingFlood
1986Severe Storms & FloodingFlood
1974Severe Storms & FloodingFlood
1973Severe Storms & FloodingFlood

These declarations affected communities across McHenry County, including Huntley.

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.

NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: McHenry County

Properties in McHenry County have filed 954 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $7.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $7K.

Highest-Claim Years

2013

165 claims - $2.4M

1979

115 claims - $192K

1993

104 claims - $604K

Claims by Flood Zone

Zone A
370(avg. $6K)
Zone AE
284(avg. $12K)
Zone X
159(avg. $7K)
Zone AO
1(avg. $5K)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.

Active NFIP Policies: McHenry County

McHenry County currently has 926 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,265, totaling $1.2M in annual premiums.

Average Annual Premium

McHenry County$1,265
National Average$915

Policies by Flood Zone

Zone AE
652(avg. $1,410/yr)
Zone X
165(avg. $899/yr)
Zone A
100(avg. $983/yr)
Zone AH
9(avg. $630/yr)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Policies API. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Insurance Coverage: McHenry County

An estimated 0.8% of households in McHenry County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.

Penetration Rate

0.8%

Claims Ratio

1 in 1

policies have filed a claim

Avg. Claim Payout

$7,320

Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.

Repetitive Loss Properties: McHenry County

McHenry County has 108 properties with multiple flood losses, including 11 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have been mitigated.

Multiple Loss

108

Severe Rep. Loss

11

Mitigated

1

By Flood Zone

Zone AE
71
Zone A
20
Zone X
13

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.

Recorded Flood Events: MCHENRY County

NOAA has recorded 36 flood events in MCHENRY County since 1996, causing $5.2M in damage.

Costliest Events

12-JUL-17Flood$3.9M
07-AUG-07Flash Flood$500K
07-AUG-07Flood$500K
13-JUN-08Flood$250K
19-AUG-07Flash Flood$50K

Events by Type

Flood
19
Flash Flood
17

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Mitigation: McHenry County

FEMA has funded mitigation for 20 properties in McHenry County, investing $738K in flood risk reduction.

By Action Type

Acquisition
19
Other
1

Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.

What Your Flood Zone Means in Huntley

Huntley faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Huntley are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $85.1M.

Riverine flood risk in Huntley is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.

River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Huntley address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Huntley

Huntley participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.

CRS Class

Class 7

SFHA Premium Discount

15% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Huntley's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.

Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.

Huntley, IL Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Huntley, IL?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Huntley are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.

Is flood insurance required in Huntley?

If your Huntley property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.

How do I check my flood zone in Huntley?

Enter your Huntley address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.

Does Huntley offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Huntley participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.

Has Huntley experienced major flooding events?

McHenry County, where Huntley is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in 2013. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.

How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Huntley?

McHenry County has recorded 954 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $7.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2013, with 165 claims and $2.4M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Huntley.

How many flood insurance policies are active in Huntley?

McHenry County currently has 926 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,265. The most policies are in Zone AE (652 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.

How many Huntley properties have flooded repeatedly?

McHenry County has 108 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 11 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.

Can my Huntley property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?

Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.

What is Base Flood Elevation in Huntley?

Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Huntley's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.

Look Up Any Huntley, IL Address

Enter a Huntley, IL address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.

Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.