Linton Public Library · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Linton faces less hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #171 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1995.
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 Linton 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
Tornadoes
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 Linton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Linton, and Linton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 20% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #171 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Linton’s residents live in 3 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, Linton has less expected damage per building than 71% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Linton: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Linton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Linton, 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.
Linton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Linton
Disasters that paid out in Linton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Linton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Snow$5K to the City of Linton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$724 aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$6K to the City of Linton for repairs
Greene 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 Linton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Linton archive →Get ready for what Linton 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.
- 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.
- 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 Linton
Is Linton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linton has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #171 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Linton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Linton since 1995, $24K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Linton 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 Greene County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Linton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Linton’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 Linton?
By FEMA money that reached Linton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 15 households applied for aid, $25K approved.
Is Linton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Linton’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Linton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Linton’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.