Macon County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The County’s participation in this program applies only to property located outside of a village, town or city. If your property is in any incorporated area (village, town or city) you must call the municipality to learn about their rules and regulations. The County’s rules and regulations are contained in the Zoning Ordinance.

The Macon County Board chose to participate in the NFIP because many area streams, creeks and the Sangamon River place a number of residents in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). In order to provide some measure of protection and economic relief for potentially flood prone areas, participation in the NFIP was required. Participation provides affected property owners with the ability to purchase affordable flood insurance premiums. In exchange for lower insurance rates, the County adopted regulations intended to reduce the incident or severity of floods that will inevitably come. This in turn reduces the clean up and reconstructive costs to all taxpayers.

The Sangamon River, Long Creek (East of Big Creek), Long Creek Tributary, Long Creek – Big Creek, Big Creek, Spring Creek, South Spring Creek, Spring Creek Tributary, Stevens Creek, Stevens Creek Tributary A, Stevens Creek Tributary B, Friends Creek, Friends Creek Ditch and the Independence Branch are all areas identified as being in or dangerously near the Special Flood Hazard Area as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map.

Flood insurance is highly recommended along these and other areas known to have the potential to flood. Even if the last storm or flood caused no damage on your property, the next flood might. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not include flood damage protection.

Flood insurance policies are sold by local insurance agents under rules and rates set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Any agent can sell a policy. To learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Any house can be covered by a flood insurance policy. Detached garages and accessory buildings are covered under the policy for the lot's main building. Separate coverage can be obtained for the building's structure and for its contents (except for money, valuable papers, and the like). The structure generally includes everything that stays with a house when it is sold, including the furnace, cabinets, built-in appliances, and wall-to-wall carpeting.

There is no coverage for things outside the house, like the driveway and landscaping. Renters can buy contents coverage, even if the owner does not buy structural coverage on the building.

If you have questions about floodplains in the County contact the Planning Office at 217.424.1466.