Photo: NathanielCwebb1996 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Crawfordsville than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crawfordsville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #92 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1998.
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 Crawfordsville 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
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 Crawfordsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crawfordsville, and Crawfordsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #92 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crawfordsville’s residents live in 5 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, Crawfordsville has less expected damage per building than 85% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Crawfordsville: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crawfordsville flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crawfordsville, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Crawfordsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crawfordsville
Disasters that paid out in Crawfordsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crawfordsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the City of Crawfordsville for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$9K to the City of Crawfordsville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$8K to the City of Crawfordsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Montgomery County has had 18 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 Crawfordsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crawfordsville archive →Get ready for what Crawfordsville 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.
- 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 Crawfordsville
Is Crawfordsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crawfordsville has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #92 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crawfordsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Crawfordsville since 1998, $160K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Crawfordsville 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 Montgomery County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crawfordsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crawfordsville’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 Crawfordsville?
By FEMA money that reached Crawfordsville, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2014): $19K to the City of Crawfordsville for repairs.
Is Crawfordsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Crawfordsville’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crawfordsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crawfordsville’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.