Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Elwood as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elwood gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #401 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1980.
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 Elwood 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 Elwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elwood, and Elwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #401 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elwood’s residents live in 5 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, Elwood has more expected damage per building than 68% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Elwood: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elwood flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elwood, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elwood
Disasters that paid out in Elwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$50K to the City of Elwood for repairs
- 2007Snow$7K to the City of Elwood for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding157 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$53K to the City of Elwood for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$7K to the City of Elwood for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$2K to the City of Elwood for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$4K to the City of Elwood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Madison County has had 19 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 Elwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elwood archive →Get ready for what Elwood 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 Elwood
Is Elwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elwood has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #401 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Elwood since 1980, $450K in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Elwood 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 Madison County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elwood’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 Elwood?
By FEMA money that reached Elwood, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): 157 households applied for aid, $106K approved, and $53K to the City of Elwood for repairs.
Is Elwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Elwood’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elwood’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.