FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Adams Township than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adams Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1996.
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 stands out about Adams Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Adams Township 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Adams Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adams Township, and Adams Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adams Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $891K a year in losses across Adams Township: $512K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adams Township flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adams Township, from FEMA’s records: 42.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike14 claims · $760K
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $176K
Adams Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Salle County.The storms Adams Township remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for La Salle County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Adams Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200815 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for La Salle County
- 19975 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20135 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared for La Salle County
La Salle County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Adams Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adams Township archive →Adams Township and its neighbors
Adams Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northville Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Earl Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Adams Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Serena Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Victor Township | — | 188 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Adams Township 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Adams Township
Is Adams Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adams Township has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adams Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Adams Township since 1996, $1.2M in all, or 42.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (14).
Is Adams Township 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 La Salle County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adams Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adams Township’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 Adams Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 14 paid, $760K.
Is Adams Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Adams Township’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adams Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adams Township’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.