Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Deer Creek Township than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deer Creek Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #523 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1985.
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 Deer Creek Township 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 Deer Creek Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Deer Creek Township, and Deer Creek Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #523 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Deer Creek Township’s residents live in 3 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, Deer Creek Township has more expected damage per building than 88% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Deer Creek Township: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Deer Creek Township flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Deer Creek Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Deer Creek Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Deer Creek Township
Disasters that paid out in Deer Creek Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Deer Creek Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
Carroll County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Deer Creek Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Deer Creek Township archive →Deer Creek Township and its neighbors
Deer Creek Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Deer Creek Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Jackson Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Tippecanoe Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 387 |
| Madison Township | — | 464 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Rock Creek Township | — | 350 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Deer Creek Township 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 Deer Creek Township
Is Deer Creek Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deer Creek Township has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #523 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Deer Creek Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Deer Creek Township since 1985, $669K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Deer Creek Township 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 Carroll County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Deer Creek Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Deer Creek Township’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 Deer Creek Township?
By FEMA money that reached Deer Creek Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 2 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Deer Creek Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Deer Creek Township’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Deer Creek Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Deer Creek Township’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.