The Illinois River is rising again. But in the Rolling Meadows subdivision in Washington, Robert Gaul and his mother Gean don't have to worry about flooding. Or do they?

"According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) I do," Robert Gaul told News 25. "Since 1986 they've had this as a flood zone, even though to my knowledge, and after checking into the history, there's never been a flood in this area."

Then suddenly, last month, the Gaul's received a letter from the bank that holds the mortgage on both of their houses requiring them to purchase flood insurance. For Robert's house it will cost $670. For Gean, whose house has a basemant, $900.

"This is crazy," protested Gean Gaul, who owns the house next door to son Robert. "Where are they coming up with this?"

The Gaul's have lived in their neighborhood for 35 years and were stunned to learn the federal government considers them in a flood plain.

Robert decided to contact city hall in Washington to find out what, if anything, they can do about it.

"When I talked to the man from the city of Washington I think he was kind of astounded. He said there's a one–percent chance in 100 years that we could have a flood here."

Jon Oliphant is Washington's Planning and Development Director. He says there is something the Gaul's can do.

"If they want to attempt to take their property out of the flood plain they would have to have a survey done," said Oliphant. "Then you have to submit what's called a letter of amendment to FEMA to formally have it taken out of the flood plain. If that happens they don't have to pay the flood plain insurance."

But the Gaul's say a land survey would cost them more than $2,000. And even then, there's no guarantee FEMA would change the flood plane status of their property. In the meantime, they're flooded with two insurance bills totaling almost $1,700.