Photo: Publichall · CC BY-SA 3.0Edinburgh’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edinburgh gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #375 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 44 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 Edinburgh’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Edinburgh 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
Earthquakes
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 Edinburgh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edinburgh, and Edinburgh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #375 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edinburgh’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, Edinburgh has more expected damage per building than 63% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Edinburgh: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Edinburgh flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Edinburgh, from FEMA’s records: 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm29 claims · $1.1M
Edinburgh isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Edinburgh
Disasters that paid out in Edinburgh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Edinburgh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Town of Edinburgh for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes302 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$531K to the Town of Edinburgh for repairs29 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$18K to the Town of Edinburgh for repairs
Johnson County has had 13 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 Edinburgh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edinburgh archive →Edinburgh and its neighbors
Edinburgh has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Pleasant View Village | — | 625 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 Edinburgh 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Edinburgh
Is Edinburgh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edinburgh has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #375 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Edinburgh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Edinburgh since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (29).
Is Edinburgh 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 Johnson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Edinburgh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Edinburgh’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 Edinburgh?
By FEMA money that reached Edinburgh, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 302 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $531K to the Town of Edinburgh for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 29 paid, $1.1M.
Is Edinburgh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Edinburgh’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edinburgh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edinburgh’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.