First National Bank of Adams · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Adams
Adams isn’t graded for hazard risk: Adams has 745 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1984.
What Adams 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
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.
Does Adams flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adams, from FEMA’s records.
Adams isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mower County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adams
Disasters that paid out in Adams itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Adams), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Adams for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Adams for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$5K to the City of Adams for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Adams for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Mower County has had 13 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adams archive →Get ready for what Adams 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.
- 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 Adams
Does Adams flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Adams since 1984, $86K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Adams 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 Mower County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adams?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adams’ 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?
By FEMA money that reached Adams, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 28 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $5K to the City of Adams for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adams.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adams’ 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.