But Few Who Need Coverage Have It

When the creeks in Lake and McHenry counties overflowed lastsummer, only 12 percent of the buildings in the flood plain in LakeCounty were insured; 25 percent of the property owners in McHenryCounty had federal flood insurance.

Nationwide, people who live in flood prone areas are 26 timesmore likely to be flooded than to have their homes burn. But many ofthem still don't buy flood insurance even though nearly all carryfire insurance.

Here are some shocking estimates from the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency: In Cook County 109,547 households are on identifiable flood plains,but only 12,889 policies are in force. In Du Page County, 13,800 households are …