Charles Barr House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Greenfield than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #255 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1980.
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 Greenfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greenfield 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 Greenfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenfield, and Greenfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B #255 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenfield’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, Greenfield has less expected damage per building than 57% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Greenfield: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenfield flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Greenfield 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenfield
Disasters that paid out in Greenfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greenfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes55 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$55K to the City of Greenfield for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Snow$31K to the City of Greenfield for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$26K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$22K to the City of Greenfield for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$17K to the City of Greenfield 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 Greenfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenfield archive →Get ready for what Greenfield 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 Greenfield
Is Greenfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenfield has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #255 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Greenfield since 1980, $758K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Greenfield 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 Greenfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenfield’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 Greenfield?
By FEMA money that reached Greenfield, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 55 households applied for aid, $54K approved, and $55K to the City of Greenfield for repairs.
Is Greenfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Greenfield’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenfield’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.