Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bedford than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #188 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Bedford 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
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 Bedford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedford, and Bedford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #188 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedford’s residents live in 8 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, Bedford has less expected damage per building than 68% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Bedford: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedford flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedford, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bedford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bedford
Disasters that paid out in Bedford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bedford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$88K to the City of Bedford for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$64K to the City of Bedford for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding58 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$100K to the City of Bedford for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding56 households applied for aid$196K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2004Snow$26K to the City of Bedford for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Lawrence 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 Bedford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedford archive →Get ready for what Bedford 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.
- 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 Bedford
Is Bedford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #188 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Bedford since 1979, $330K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bedford 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 Lawrence County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bedford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bedford’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 Bedford?
By FEMA money that reached Bedford, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): 56 households applied for aid, $196K approved.
Is Bedford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Bedford’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedford’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.