Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Ellettsville 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, Ellettsville gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #425 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1995.
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 Ellettsville 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
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 Ellettsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellettsville, and Ellettsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #425 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ellettsville’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, Ellettsville has more expected damage per building than 72% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Ellettsville: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellettsville flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellettsville, from FEMA’s records: 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $259K
Ellettsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellettsville
Disasters that paid out in Ellettsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ellettsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes30 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$4K to the Town of Ellettsville for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$413 aid approved
- 2004Snow$12K to the Town of Ellettsville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes$143K to the Town of Ellettsville for repairs
Monroe 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 Ellettsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellettsville archive →Get ready for what Ellettsville 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.
- 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 Ellettsville
Is Ellettsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellettsville has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #425 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ellettsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Ellettsville since 1995, $818K in all, or 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Ellettsville 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 Monroe County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ellettsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellettsville’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 Ellettsville?
By FEMA money that reached Ellettsville, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2002): $143K to the Town of Ellettsville for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $259K.
Is Ellettsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Ellettsville’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellettsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellettsville’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.