Warsaw Historic District · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWarsaw’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warsaw gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Warsaw faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
Hail
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Warsaw’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warsaw, and Warsaw’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Warsaw’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $695K a year in losses across Warsaw: $208K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warsaw flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warsaw, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $216K
Warsaw isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Warsaw
Disasters that paid out in Warsaw itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Warsaw), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$505K to the City of Warsaw for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Warsaw for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding58 households applied for aid$324K aid approved$871K to the City of Warsaw for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$2K to the City of Warsaw for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$5K to the City of Warsaw for repairs
- 2001Flooding$51K to the City of Warsaw for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the City of Warsaw for repairs
Hancock County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Warsaw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warsaw archive →Warsaw and its neighbors
Warsaw has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Warsaw Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Rocky Run-Wilcox Township | — | 199 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Warsaw faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Warsaw
Is Warsaw at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warsaw has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and strong wind (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warsaw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Warsaw since 1979, $364K in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Warsaw in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Hancock County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warsaw?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warsaw’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Warsaw?
By FEMA money that reached Warsaw, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 58 households applied for aid, $324K approved, and $871K to the City of Warsaw for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $216K.
Is Warsaw at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Warsaw’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warsaw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warsaw’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.