Photo: Michaeldavisson · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Avon as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #312 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Avon 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 Avon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Avon, and Avon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B #312 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Avon’s residents live in 9 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, Avon has more expected damage per building than 53% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Avon: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Avon flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Avon. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Avon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hendricks County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Avon
Disasters that paid out in Avon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Avon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Snow$41K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$11K to the Town of Avon for repairs
Hendricks County has had 11 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 Avon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Avon archive →Avon and its neighbors
Avon is 2nd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Avon | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Plainfield | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Lincoln Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Brownsburg | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Guilford Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Middle Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Avon 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 Avon
Is Avon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avon has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #312 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Avon 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 Hendricks County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Avon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Avon’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 Avon?
By FEMA money that reached Avon, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2014): $55K to the Town of Avon for repairs.
Is Avon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Avon’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Avon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Avon’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.