Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Evansville than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evansville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #562 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 408 claims here since 1978.
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 Evansville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Evansville 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
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 Evansville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Evansville, and Evansville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #562 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Evansville’s residents live in 44 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, Evansville has more expected damage per building than 95% of Indiana towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Evansville has higher expected damage per building than 66% (#263 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $62.7M, is the 195th largest of those 400.
Does Evansville flood? Yes: 408 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Evansville, from FEMA’s records: 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms24 claims · $390K
- The March storm5 claims · $89K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $42K
Evansville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Vanderburgh County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Evansville
Disasters that paid out in Evansville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Evansville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$96K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$2K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding863 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved33 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Tornado and Severe Storms315 households applied for aid$456K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding58 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding94 households applied for aid$23K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$61K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Vanderburgh County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Evansville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Evansville archive →Evansville and its neighbors
Evansville is 4th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Township | Cmore damage than 67% | earthquakes | 77 |
| Knight Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 169 |
| Ohio Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Evansville | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 408 |
| Highland | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Center Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Melody Hill | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Evansville 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.
- 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.
- Evansville residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Evansville
Is Evansville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evansville has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #562 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Evansville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 408 claims in Evansville since 1978, $3.5M in all, or 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 31 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (24).
Is Evansville 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 Vanderburgh County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Evansville?
Evansville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Evansville?
By FEMA money that reached Evansville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 863 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 24 paid, $390K.
Is Evansville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Evansville’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Evansville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Evansville’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.