On FEMA’s figures, Adams faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adams gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 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
Hail
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’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adams, and Adams’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adams’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $835K a year in losses across Adams: $475K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adams flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Adams. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
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: Jackson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adams
Disasters that paid out in Adams itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Adams), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$13K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$21K to the Town of Adams for repairs
Jackson County has had 11 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 →Adams and its neighbors
Adams is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black River Falls | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brockway | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Adams | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Alma | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Albion | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Komensky | — | 530 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dewhurst | — | 224 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 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.
- 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
Is Adams at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adams has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Jackson County, 10% 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, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $21K to the Town of Adams for repairs.
Is Adams at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Adams’ rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
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.