Photo: Touch em all 4 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Jasper as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jasper gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #407 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Jasper 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
Earthquakes
Strong wind
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 Jasper’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jasper, and Jasper’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #407 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jasper’s residents live in 5 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, Jasper has more expected damage per building than 69% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Jasper: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jasper flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jasper, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Jasper isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dubois County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jasper
Disasters that paid out in Jasper itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jasper), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$46K to the City of Jasper for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$130K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$101K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2004Snow$31K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$42K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$16K to the City of Jasper for repairs
Dubois 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 Jasper after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jasper archive →Jasper and its neighbors
Jasper is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bainbridge Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Jasper | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Madison Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Jasper 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Jasper
Is Jasper at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jasper has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #407 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jasper flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Jasper since 2011, $156K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Jasper 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 Dubois County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jasper?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jasper’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 Jasper?
By FEMA money that reached Jasper, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $130K to the City of Jasper for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Jasper at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Jasper’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jasper.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jasper’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.