Less hazard damage per building is expected in DeMotte than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeMotte gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #153 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 stands out about DeMotte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What DeMotte 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
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 DeMotte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in DeMotte, and DeMotte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #153 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of DeMotte’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, DeMotte has less expected damage per building than 74% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across DeMotte: $659K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does DeMotte flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in DeMotte, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding1 claim · $2K
DeMotte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to DeMotte
Disasters that paid out in DeMotte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of DeMotte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Town of DeMotte for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Snow$4K to the Town of DeMotte for repairs
Jasper County has had 16 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 DeMotte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the DeMotte archive →Get ready for what DeMotte 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.
- 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 DeMotte
Is DeMotte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeMotte has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #153 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (11%). 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 DeMotte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in DeMotte since 1981, $29K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding (1).
Is DeMotte 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 Jasper County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in DeMotte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for DeMotte’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 DeMotte?
By FEMA money that reached DeMotte, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 23 households applied for aid, $53K approved. By flood claims, 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding: 1 paid, $2K.
Is DeMotte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and DeMotte’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in DeMotte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where DeMotte’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.