Fayette County Courthouse · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainConnersville’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Connersville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #458 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1980.
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 Connersville 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 Connersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Connersville, and Connersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #458 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Connersville’s residents live in 7 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, Connersville has more expected damage per building than 77% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Connersville: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Connersville flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Connersville, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding7 claims · $274K
Connersville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fayette County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Connersville
Disasters that paid out in Connersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Connersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding294 households applied for aid$5.8M aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$64K to the City of Connersville for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$43K to the City of Connersville for repairs
- 2004Snow$26K to the City of Connersville for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$18K to the City of Connersville for repairs
Fayette County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Connersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Connersville archive →Get ready for what Connersville 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 Connersville
Is Connersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Connersville has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #458 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Connersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Connersville since 1980, $321K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding (7).
Is Connersville 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 Fayette County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Connersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Connersville’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 Connersville?
By FEMA money that reached Connersville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 294 households applied for aid, $5.8M approved. By flood claims, 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding: 7 paid, $274K.
Is Connersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Connersville’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Connersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Connersville’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.