Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bicknell as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bicknell gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #340 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (23%). 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 Bicknell 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
Earthquakes
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 Bicknell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bicknell, and Bicknell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 23% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B #340 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bicknell’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, Bicknell has more expected damage per building than 57% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $944K a year in losses across Bicknell: $645K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bicknell flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bicknell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bicknell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bicknell
Disasters that paid out in Bicknell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bicknell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$125K aid approved$88K to the City of Bicknell for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2004Snow$5K to the City of Bicknell for repairs
Knox County has had 15 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 Bicknell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bicknell archive →Get ready for what Bicknell 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Bicknell
Is Bicknell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bicknell has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #340 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bicknell 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 Knox County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bicknell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bicknell’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 Bicknell?
By FEMA money that reached Bicknell, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 16 households applied for aid, $125K approved, and $88K to the City of Bicknell for repairs.
Is Bicknell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Bicknell’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bicknell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bicknell’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.