Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fortville than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fortville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #135 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
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 Fortville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fortville 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 Fortville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fortville, and Fortville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #135 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fortville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Fortville has less expected damage per building than 77% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Fortville: $811K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fortville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fortville, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $14K
Fortville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fortville
Disasters that paid out in Fortville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fortville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2007Snow$8K to the Town of Fortville for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Snow$4K to the Town of Fortville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$569 aid approved
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$5K to the Town of Fortville for repairs
Hancock County has had 15 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 Fortville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fortville archive →Fortville and its neighbors
Fortville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortville | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Vernon Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fishers | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Fall Creek Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Fortville 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 Fortville
Is Fortville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fortville has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #135 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (14%). 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 Fortville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Fortville since 2025, $14K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Fortville 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 Hancock County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fortville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fortville’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 Fortville?
By FEMA money that reached Fortville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 22 households applied for aid, $49K approved. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Fortville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Fortville’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fortville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fortville’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.