Photo: WhisperToMe · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Greencastle Township than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greencastle Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #143 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Greencastle Township 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
Hail
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 Greencastle Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greencastle Township, and Greencastle Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #143 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greencastle Township’s residents live in 7 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, Greencastle Township has less expected damage per building than 76% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Greencastle Township: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greencastle Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greencastle Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $19K
Greencastle Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.The storms Greencastle Township remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for Putnam County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Greencastle Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and, declared for Putnam County
- 20131 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Putnam County has had 17 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 Greencastle Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greencastle Township archive →Greencastle Township and its neighbors
Greencastle Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greencastle Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Marion Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Monroe Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Madison Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Warren Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Greencastle Township 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.
- 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.
- 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 Greencastle Township
Is Greencastle Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greencastle Township has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #143 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greencastle Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Greencastle Township since 2011, $43K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Greencastle Township 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 Putnam County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greencastle Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greencastle Township’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 Greencastle Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Greencastle Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Greencastle Township’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greencastle Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greencastle Township’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.