Sources of Flood Hazard

There are 4 main sources of flood hazard in Wheeling:

• Buffalo Creek (Wheeling Drainage Ditch)
• Des Plaines River
• McDonald Creek
• William Rogers Memorial Diversion Channel

Each of these sources has its own floodway and floodplain. Flooding in these locations has typically occurred in the spring or the fall.

Reducing Flood Impact

When flooding cannot be prevented, the Village takes several steps to reduce the flood's impact. Before a project is constructed, Village Staff works with the developer to ensure that the proposed project minimizes the impact to adjacent properties. A new project must meet the guidelines established in the Village Code, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), and other regulations established at the state and federal levels.

Community Rating System (CRS) Program

The Village participates in the voluntary auditing Community Rating System (CRS) program sponsored by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The CRS program is used to assure our residents that the Village meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the NFIP; which entitles a discounted annual Flood Insurance rates for the residents.

Floodplain Development Permit

All development within the floodplain requires a Floodplain Permit (PDF). This is a separate permit from the Building and Construction Permit. Please visit our Building in the Floodplain page to find out if a permit is required.

Floodplain Property

The Engineering Division within Community Development Department maintains current FEMA maps and assists residents, contractors, realtors and engineers in determining whether a piece of property lies within a floodplain or not. Please contact the Engineering Division at 847-279-6910 for assistance regarding floodplain information.