Carroll County Courthouse · Photo: Publichall at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Delphi’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delphi gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #548 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1981.
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 Delphi 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 Delphi’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Delphi, and Delphi’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #548 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Delphi’s residents live in 2 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, Delphi has more expected damage per building than 92% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Delphi: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Delphi flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Delphi, from FEMA’s records: 19.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Delphi 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Delphi
Disasters that paid out in Delphi itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Delphi), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding59 households applied for aid$429K aid approved$12K to the City of Delphi for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Snow$5K to the City of Delphi for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding68 households applied for aid$385K aid approved$133K to the City of Delphi for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Delphi for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$9K to the City of Delphi for repairs
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 Delphi after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Delphi archive →Get ready for what Delphi 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 Delphi
Is Delphi at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delphi has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #548 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Delphi flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Delphi since 1981, $971K in all, or 19.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Delphi 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 Delphi?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Delphi’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 Delphi?
By FEMA money that reached Delphi, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 68 households applied for aid, $385K approved, and $133K to the City of Delphi for repairs.
Is Delphi at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Delphi’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Delphi.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Delphi’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.