Enter any address in Adams County, Illinois to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Adams County, IL. Recent events include isolated flash flooding reported on July 1, 2023, and flash flooding during the evening of June 30, 2021, through the morning of July 1, 2021.
Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 25 flash flood events and 12 flood events in Adams County. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $45,780 and an average water depth of 18.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED also show a high average payout of $85,677 with an average water depth of 9.7 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED with an average payout of $20,188 and 5.2 feet of water depth, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Adams County, Illinois has recorded 37 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Feb 24, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 19, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 1, 2008 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 6, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 19, 2025
A mesoscale convective complex rolled through Illinois during the late evening of May 19th. Severe reports spanned from west-central Illinois through the Metro-East and into southern Illinois where a brief tornado touched down. Luckily no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2023
Widespread thunderstorms developed on the nose of a low-level jet. Much of the activity remained north of a stationary surface front. Some of the storms became severe with damaging winds. Also, isolated flash flooding was reported in Adams County.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2021
As a cold front moved through the region, several rounds of showers and storms moved across portions of northern Missouri into west central Illinois. There were a couple of reports of flash flooding during the evening of June 30th through the morning hours of July 1st.
Flash Flood — Oct 24, 2021
Numerous severe thunderstorms formed ahead of an approaching cold front across southeast Missouri during the evening hours of Sunday, October 24th, 2021. As the storms moved northeastward, they moved into a moist, energy-rich environment with substantial wind shear in the low and mid-levels. They quickly intensified, remaining somewhat isolated as they moved through southeast Missouri and into ...
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2020
A mesoscale convective system (MCS) developed over region, producing very heavy rainfall in a number of locations which caused flash flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Adams County, Illinois:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Adams County, Illinois that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.