Photo: Bedford · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Clarksville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #470 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1978.
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 Clarksville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clarksville 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
Earthquakes
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 Clarksville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarksville, and Clarksville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #470 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarksville’s residents live in 10 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, Clarksville has more expected damage per building than 79% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across Clarksville: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarksville flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarksville, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $104K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $94K
Clarksville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Clark County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarksville
Disasters that paid out in Clarksville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clarksville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$23K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$587 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$2K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding412 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$533K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
- 2004Snow$33K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$13K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$28K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
Clark 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 Clarksville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarksville archive →Clarksville and its neighbors
Clarksville is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Creek Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Sellersburg | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Clarksville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| New Albany Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Jeffersonville Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 275 |
| Jeffersonville | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
| New Albany | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Louisville | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Clarksville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Clarksville residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clarksville
Is Clarksville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksville has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #470 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clarksville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Clarksville since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Clarksville 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 Clark County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarksville?
Clarksville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Clarksville?
By FEMA money that reached Clarksville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 412 households applied for aid, $34K approved, and $533K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $104K.
Is Clarksville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Clarksville’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarksville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarksville’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.