French Lick Springs Hotel · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts French Lick’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, French Lick gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1983.
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 French Lick’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What French Lick 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 French Lick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in French Lick, and French Lick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of French Lick’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across French Lick: $770K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does French Lick flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in French Lick, from FEMA’s records: 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm4 claims · $107K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $15K
French Lick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to French Lick
Disasters that paid out in French Lick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of French Lick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$530 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Orange County has had 16 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 French Lick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the French Lick archive →French Lick and its neighbors
French Lick has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Lick | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| West Baden Springs | — | 543 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 French Lick 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 French Lick
Is French Lick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, French Lick has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (13%). 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 French Lick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in French Lick since 1983, $795K in all, or 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (4).
Is French Lick 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 Orange County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in French Lick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for French Lick’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 French Lick?
By FEMA money that reached French Lick, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 19 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 4 paid, $107K.
Is French Lick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and French Lick’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in French Lick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where French Lick’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.