Mitchell Opera House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Mitchell’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #162 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1979.
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 Mitchell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mitchell 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 Mitchell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mitchell, and Mitchell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #162 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mitchell’s residents live in 4 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, Mitchell has less expected damage per building than 73% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Mitchell: $793K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mitchell flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mitchell, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mitchell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mitchell
Disasters that paid out in Mitchell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mitchell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Lawrence County has had 18 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 Mitchell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mitchell archive →Get ready for what Mitchell 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 Mitchell
Is Mitchell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchell has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #162 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mitchell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Mitchell since 1979, $10K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mitchell 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 Lawrence County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mitchell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mitchell’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 Mitchell?
By FEMA money that reached Mitchell, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): 12 households applied for aid, $62K approved.
Is Mitchell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Mitchell’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mitchell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mitchell’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.