Photo: Omnedon · Public domainFEMA puts Attica’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Attica gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #183 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1997.
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 Attica 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Earthquakes
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 Attica’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Attica, and Attica’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #183 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Attica’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Attica has less expected damage per building than 69% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Attica: $690K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Attica flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Attica, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Attica isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fountain County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Attica
Disasters that paid out in Attica itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Attica), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Snow$4K to the City of Attica for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$9K to the City of Attica for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$25K to the City of Attica for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$9K to the City of Attica for repairs
Fountain County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Attica after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Attica archive →Get ready for what Attica 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Attica
Is Attica at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Attica has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #183 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Attica flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Attica since 1997, $88K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Attica 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 Fountain County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Attica?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Attica’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 Attica?
By FEMA money that reached Attica, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 5 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $25K to the City of Attica for repairs.
Is Attica at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Attica’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Attica.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Attica’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.