Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Adams faces less hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adams gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1993.
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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adams, and Adams’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Adams’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Adams: $590K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adams flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adams, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Adams County.3 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.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding62 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Adams for repairs
Adams County has had 9 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hail (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adams flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Adams since 1993, $3K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 Adams County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% 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): 62 households applied for aid, $41K approved.
Is Adams at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Adams’ rate for it is lower than 58% 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.