Photo: Derek Jensen (Tysto) · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Decatur faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #430 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 76 claims here since 1979.
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 Decatur’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Decatur 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 Decatur’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Decatur, and Decatur’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 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #430 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Decatur’s residents live in 4 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, Decatur has more expected damage per building than 72% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Decatur: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Decatur flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Decatur, from FEMA’s records: 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Decatur is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Adams County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Decatur
Disasters that paid out in Decatur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Decatur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes46 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$62K to the City of Decatur for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Snow$15K to the City of Decatur for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$25K to the City of Decatur for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding258 households applied for aid$851K aid approved$156K to the City of Decatur for repairs54 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$3K to the City of Decatur for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$9K to the City of Decatur for repairs
Adams County has had 14 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 Decatur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Decatur archive →Get ready for what Decatur 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.
- Decatur residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Decatur
Is Decatur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #430 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Decatur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in Decatur since 1979, $978K in all, or 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Decatur 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 Adams County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Decatur?
Decatur is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Decatur?
By FEMA money that reached Decatur, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 258 households applied for aid, $851K approved, and $156K to the City of Decatur for repairs.
Is Decatur at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Decatur’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Decatur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Decatur’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.