Photo: Chris Light at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ferdinand 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, Ferdinand gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Ferdinand 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
Strong wind
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 Ferdinand’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ferdinand, and Ferdinand’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ferdinand’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Ferdinand: $866K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ferdinand flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ferdinand, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ferdinand isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dubois County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ferdinand
Disasters that paid out in Ferdinand itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ferdinand), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$6K to the Town of Ferdinand for repairs
Dubois 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 Ferdinand after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ferdinand archive →Get ready for what Ferdinand 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Ferdinand
Is Ferdinand at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferdinand has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (18%). 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 Ferdinand flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ferdinand since 2018, $33K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ferdinand 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 Dubois County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ferdinand?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ferdinand’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 Ferdinand?
By FEMA money that reached Ferdinand, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2004): $6K to the Town of Ferdinand for repairs.
Is Ferdinand at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Ferdinand’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ferdinand.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ferdinand’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.