Port Barrington, Illinois Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Port Barrington faces flooding from the Fox River and Flint Creek in McHenry County. The village sits at the confluence of these waterways, making it vulnerable to overflow during spring snowmelt and heavy rainfall events.
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 ModerateEst. annual loss: $85.1M
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $3K
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.
These declarations affected communities across McHenry County, including Port Barrington.
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
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
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
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
Events by Type
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
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Port Barrington
Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Port Barrington
Port Barrington 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). Port Barrington'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.
Port Barrington, IL Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Port Barrington, IL?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington?
If your Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington?
Enter your Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington experienced major flooding events?
McHenry County, where Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington?
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 Port Barrington.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Port Barrington?
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 Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington 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 Port Barrington?
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 Port Barrington'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.
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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.