Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Cambridge City’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1993.
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 Cambridge City 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 Cambridge City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cambridge City, and Cambridge City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cambridge City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $765K a year in losses across Cambridge City: $541K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cambridge City flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cambridge City, from FEMA’s records: 33.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding10 claims · $426K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $489
Cambridge City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cambridge City
Disasters that paid out in Cambridge City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cambridge City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding245 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$796 to the Town of Cambridge City for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to the Town of Cambridge City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$408 aid approved$22K to the Town of Cambridge City for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$22K to the Town of Cambridge City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Snow$3K to the Town of Cambridge City for repairs
Wayne County has had 12 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 Cambridge City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cambridge City archive →Get ready for what Cambridge City 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cambridge City
Is Cambridge City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge City has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cambridge City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Cambridge City since 1993, $498K in all, or 33.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding (10).
Is Cambridge City 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 Wayne County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cambridge City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cambridge City’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 Cambridge City?
By FEMA money that reached Cambridge City, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 245 households applied for aid, $3.4M approved. By flood claims, 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding: 10 paid, $426K.
Is Cambridge City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Cambridge City’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cambridge City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cambridge City’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.