Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Boonville than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boonville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #538 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Boonville 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
Strong wind
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 Boonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boonville, and Boonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #538 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boonville’s residents live in 4 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, Boonville has more expected damage per building than 91% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Boonville: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boonville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boonville, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Boonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warrick County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boonville
Disasters that paid out in Boonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Boonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$156K to the City of Boonville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Tornado and Severe Storms76 households applied for aid$105K aid approved
- 2004Snow$10K to the City of Boonville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$6K to the City of Boonville for repairs
Warrick County has had 17 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 Boonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boonville archive →Get ready for what Boonville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Boonville
Is Boonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boonville has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #538 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Boonville since 1998, $12K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Boonville 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 Warrick County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boonville’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 Boonville?
By FEMA money that reached Boonville, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $156K to the City of Boonville for repairs.
Is Boonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Boonville’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boonville’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.