Flood Management

Before the flood season begins, contact the Village with any questions or concerns that you may have at 847-599-7550. Professional staff are available to assist property owners with drainage or flooding problems, flood map interpretation, flood insurance requirements, and building protection guidance. Staff is also available to visit a site upon request.

Make sure storm sewers, ditches and streams are free of debris. Check your home's sump pump and make sure it is in good working condition.

To report debris in one of the Village's waterways, please contact the Gurnee Public Works Department at 847-599-6800.

Please note that it is illegal to dump materials into a waterway and violators will be fined. If you see this occurring, please contact the Gurnee Police Department at 847-599-7000.

 If you are a property owner in the floodplain, you may need flood insurance. Renters in the floodplain can also purchase a policy to protect their assets. Anyone who experiences flooding or seepage into their home or business is encouraged to take pictures of the area during the event and contact the Village for inspection. Additionally, the Village keeps historical information for residents on file, including assessment data, flood maps, and photos.

Keep a supply of emergency essentials on hand, including water, food, first-aid supplies and flashlights in a waterproof container.

Make a plan with your family for what to do in case of a flood emergency. Designate a safe place to go and determine the best escape routes.

During a flood event, stay informed by monitoring local news and weather reports. Follow any evacuation orders if issued and avoid driving through flooded areas.

The most dangerous flood hazard area in Gurnee is in the low-lying area around the Des Plaines River and its tributaries. Flooding associated with the river threatens public safety and property and triggers the Village of Gurnee Emergency Operations Plan.

If you have not checked the location of your home and its relationship to the flood hazard area on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM) please reference the inundation map as well as the general flood zone map. If your property is shown to be in or close to a flood hazard area, please feel free to contact the Village for guidance on how to protect yourself and your property.

Isolated flooding of roadways and yards may occur during heavy rain events if the stormwater management system becomes overwhelmed. During these events, roadways and swales are designed to flood to protect the adjoining homes. This type of flooding should pose no threat to property.

Basements are a common feature of homes in the Gurnee area and carry specific flooding risk. Because they are below grade, basements need to have a drainage system to remove underground water at all times. Historically, gravity draining tiles were installed around homes to remove ground water. All newer basement installations are required to have a sump pump ejection system to remove ground water. A gravity sewer backup or sump pump failure will likely lead to basement flooding, and residents are encouraged to install backup systems to provide additional protection.

The Village cannot prevent flooding, but we take measures to minimize the risk to the public safety and property. All new development is permitted in accordance with the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance, and the Village of Gurnee participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Village of Gurnee also participates in the Community Rating System which gives property owners a 5% to 20% discount on flood insurance premiums.

If you are in the floodplain or have experienced a flood, drainage or sewer backup problem, you may contact the Village to review the circumstance of the problem and obtain recommendations for remedial action to stop or minimize future flooding damage. These services are free to all residents and businesses in the Village of Gurnee.

All flooding-related questions can be directed to the Engineering Division at 847-599-7550.

The Village of Gurnee maintains an email list for information about flooding in the Gurnee area. You can sign up for the flood information mailing list on the mailing list subscriptions page.

Flooding limits shown on the Federal Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are determined by estimating the elevation above sea level for a specific flood event such as the 1% flood (also called a 100-year flood). Structures built in the vicinity of flood hazard areas may have an elevation certificate prepared that measures the elevation above sea level of the structures for comparison against the floodplain elevation.

The Engineering Division maintains copies of elevation certificates if they are provided by the property owner. Please contact the Engineering Division at 847.599.7550 to see if an elevation certificate is available for a specific property.