Photo: Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Covington’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #262 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2003.
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 Covington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Covington 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
Hail
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 Covington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Covington, and Covington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
B #262 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Covington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Covington has less expected damage per building than 56% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Covington: $566K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Covington flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Covington, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Covington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fountain County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Covington
Disasters that paid out in Covington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Covington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$18K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2007Snow$4K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$6K to the City of Covington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$3K to the City of Covington for repairs
Fountain County has had 9 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 Covington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Covington archive →Get ready for what Covington 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Covington
Is Covington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #262 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Covington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Covington since 2003, $16K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Covington 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 Fountain County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Covington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Covington’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 Covington?
By FEMA money that reached Covington, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 11 households applied for aid, $45K approved, and $6K to the City of Covington for repairs.
Is Covington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Covington’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Covington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Covington’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.