National Flood Insurance Program

Adams County began participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) November 15, 1985. The City of Quincy became a participating community October 15, 1981. The remaining incorporated villages within the County are not currently participating in the NFIP and are not mapped for floodplains. The FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps determine the floodplains of Adams County. These maps were updated on June 2, 2011.

Insurance for Property Owners

If you don't have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because Adams County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have never been flooded.

Some people have purchased flood insurance because it is required by law and the bank when they get a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building's structure and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that happens in Adams, there is usually damage to the structure as well as the contents. Be sure to check into a policy which covers both contents and structure.If you are covered by flood insurance, check out the amount and make sure you have contents coverage.

There is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance coverage becomes effective. Plan ahead; do not wait until a flood is predicted before purchasing flood insurance. Remember: Even if the last flood missed you or you have done some floodproofing, the next flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers all surface floods.

If you are building inside the floodplain, the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory if using a federally regulated/insured bank for a loan.

The NFIP requires that if the cost of improvements to a building or the cost to repair damages (from any cause) to a building exceeds 50% of the market value of the building (excluding land value), the entire building must be brought up to current floodplain management standards. Building improvement projects include exterior and interior remodeling, rehabilitation, additions and repair and reconstruction projects. Additionally, the cost of currently planned improvements will be added to the cost of previously made improvements and compared to the existing market value to determine if the improvements exceed 50% of the structure’s value.