Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Adel’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adel gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #215 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1994.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Adel faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Adel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adel, and Adel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 44% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #215 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adel’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Adel has more expected damage per building than 81% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Adel: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adel flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adel, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Adel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cook County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adel
Disasters that paid out in Adel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Adel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,931 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Adel for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia310 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$207K to the City of Adel for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael$56K to the City of Adel for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$210K to the City of Adel for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding100 households applied for aid$200K aid approved$17K to the City of Adel for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$11K to the City of Adel for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$26K to the City of Adel for repairs
Cook County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Adel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adel archive →Adel and its neighbors
Adel is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparks | C+more damage than 61% | hurricanes | — |
| Adel | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Adel faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Adel
Is Adel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adel has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #215 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Adel since 1994, $14K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Adel in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Cook County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adel’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Adel?
By FEMA money that reached Adel, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,931 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $1.6M to the City of Adel for repairs.
Is Adel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Adel’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adel’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.