Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Churubusco faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Churubusco gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (21%). 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 Churubusco 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 Churubusco’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Churubusco, and Churubusco’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 21% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Churubusco’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $422K a year in losses across Churubusco: $271K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Churubusco flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Churubusco. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Churubusco isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Whitley County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Churubusco
Disasters that paid out in Churubusco itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Churubusco), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2007Snow$2K to the Town of Churubusco for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$868 aid approved
Whitley 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 Churubusco after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Churubusco archive →Churubusco and its neighbors
Churubusco is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Churubusco | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Eel River Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Churubusco 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 Churubusco
Is Churubusco at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Churubusco has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (21%). 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.
Is Churubusco 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 Whitley County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Churubusco?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Churubusco’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 Churubusco?
By FEMA money that reached Churubusco, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 8 households applied for aid, $26K approved.
Is Churubusco at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Churubusco’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Churubusco.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Churubusco’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.