Stewart-Studebaker House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Bluffton faces less hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluffton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #290 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1985.
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 Bluffton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bluffton 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 Bluffton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bluffton, and Bluffton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #290 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bluffton’s residents live in 3 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, Bluffton has less expected damage per building than 51% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Bluffton: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bluffton flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bluffton, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bluffton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Wells County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bluffton
Disasters that paid out in Bluffton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bluffton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Snow$14K to the City of Bluffton for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$19K to the City of Bluffton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding257 households applied for aid$491K aid approved$254K to the City of Bluffton for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$6K to the City of Bluffton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wells County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bluffton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bluffton archive →Get ready for what Bluffton 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.
- Bluffton residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bluffton
Is Bluffton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluffton has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #290 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bluffton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Bluffton since 1985, $311K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bluffton 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 Wells County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bluffton?
Bluffton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bluffton?
By FEMA money that reached Bluffton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 257 households applied for aid, $491K approved, and $254K to the City of Bluffton for repairs.
Is Bluffton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Bluffton’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bluffton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bluffton’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.