Photo: Paul J Everett · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Frankfort as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frankfort gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #395 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1981.
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 Frankfort 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
Hail
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 Frankfort’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Frankfort, and Frankfort’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #395 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Frankfort’s residents live in 6 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, Frankfort has more expected damage per building than 67% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Frankfort: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Frankfort flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Frankfort, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Frankfort isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Frankfort
Disasters that paid out in Frankfort itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Frankfort), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes69 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$322K to the City of Frankfort for repairs
- 2007Snow$46K to the City of Frankfort for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$100K to the City of Frankfort for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$42K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$30K to the City of Frankfort for repairs
Clinton 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 Frankfort after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Frankfort archive →Frankfort and its neighbors
Frankfort is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Frankfort | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Union Township | — | 833 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Frankfort 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Frankfort
Is Frankfort at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frankfort has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #395 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Frankfort flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Frankfort since 1981, $72K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Frankfort 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 Clinton County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Frankfort?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Frankfort’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 Frankfort?
By FEMA money that reached Frankfort, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 69 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $322K to the City of Frankfort for repairs.
Is Frankfort at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Frankfort’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Frankfort.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Frankfort’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.