Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Aurora than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurora gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #583 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Aurora’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Aurora 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
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 Aurora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aurora, and Aurora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #583 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aurora’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, Aurora has more expected damage per building than 98% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Aurora: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aurora flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aurora, from FEMA’s records: 24.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $135K
Aurora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dearborn County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aurora
Disasters that paid out in Aurora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aurora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$69K to the City of Aurora for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding154 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$28K to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes17 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$887 aid approved
- 2004Snow$20K to the City of Aurora for repairs
Dearborn County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Aurora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aurora archive →Aurora and its neighbors
Aurora is 5th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrenceburg | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Lawrenceburg Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hogan Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Aurora | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Petersburg | — | 771 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 Aurora 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.
- 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 Aurora
Is Aurora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurora has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #583 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aurora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Aurora since 1978, $863K in all, or 24.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (3).
Is Aurora 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 Dearborn County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aurora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aurora’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 Aurora?
By FEMA money that reached Aurora, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 27 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $69K to the City of Aurora for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 3 paid, $135K.
Is Aurora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Aurora’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aurora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aurora’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.