Photo: deathpallie325 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Beech Grove faces less hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beech Grove gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #198 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1981.
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 Beech Grove 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 Beech Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beech Grove, and Beech Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #198 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beech Grove’s residents live in 6 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, Beech Grove has less expected damage per building than 67% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Beech Grove: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beech Grove flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beech Grove, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Beech Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beech Grove
Disasters that paid out in Beech Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beech Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the City of Beech Grove for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$19K to the City of Beech Grove for repairs
- 2007Snow$19K to the City of Beech Grove for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes$50K to the City of Beech Grove for repairs
Marion County has had 16 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 Beech Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beech Grove archive →Beech Grove and its neighbors
Beech Grove has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beech Grove | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Franklin Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Perry Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
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 Beech Grove 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 Beech Grove
Is Beech Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beech Grove has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #198 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beech Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Beech Grove since 1981, $156K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Beech Grove 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 Marion County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beech Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beech Grove’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 Beech Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Beech Grove, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2002): $50K to the City of Beech Grove for repairs.
Is Beech Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Beech Grove’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beech Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beech Grove’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.