Flooding in Chicago WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Chicago may sit on the shores of Lake Michigan, but its greatest flood threats often come from within. The city’s aging stormwater systems, flat topography, and densely paved landscape mean that when heavy rain hits, water has nowhere to go. Studies show that over 154,000 properties in Chicago run the risk of flooding today. However, what many homeowners don’t realize is this: standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. Whether it’s due to overwhelmed sewers, rising groundwater, or lakefront flooding, only private flood insurance in Chicago, IL offers financial protection from water that enters your home from the outside.

Flood Zones in Chicago

While Chicago doesn’t have major rivers running through it like some cities, it has a vast network of canals, creeks, and combined sewer systems that put many areas at risk during heavy storms. FEMA maps designate parts of the city—including near the Chicago River, Bubbly Creek, and parts of South Side, as Zone AE, where flood insurance is often required for federally backed mortgages.
But much of the flood damage in Chicago occurs in Zone X, areas labeled low to moderate risk. According to FEMA, 40% of all flood claims come from these zones, especially when sewers back up or drainage systems are overwhelmed.