Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Quincy than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Quincy gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #460 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 52 claims here since 1979.
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 Quincy’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Quincy 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Quincy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Quincy, and Quincy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #460 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Quincy’s residents live in 15 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Quincy has more expected damage per building than 60% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across Quincy: $7.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Quincy flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Quincy, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding10 claims · $487K
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $144K
Quincy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adams County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Quincy
Disasters that paid out in Quincy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Quincy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$40K to the City of Quincy for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.5M to the City of Quincy for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$138K to the City of Quincy for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$32K to the City of Quincy for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding72 households applied for aid$223K aid approved$538K to the City of Quincy for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$76K to the City of Quincy for repairs
Show all 9
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$5K to the City of Quincy for repairs
- 2001Flooding$3K to the City of Quincy for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$78K to the City of Quincy for repairs
Adams County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Quincy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Quincy archive →Quincy and its neighbors
Quincy is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellington Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Quincy | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Riverside Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Melrose Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Quincy Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Quincy 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Quincy
Is Quincy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Quincy has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #460 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Quincy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Quincy since 1979, $1.5M in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (10).
Is Quincy 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 Adams County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Quincy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Quincy’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 Quincy?
By FEMA money that reached Quincy, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): $1.5M to the City of Quincy for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 10 paid, $487K.
Is Quincy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Quincy’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Quincy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Quincy’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.