Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Monticello’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monticello gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #194 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1981.
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 Monticello’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Monticello 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 Monticello’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monticello, and Monticello’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #194 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monticello’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, Monticello has less expected damage per building than 67% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Monticello: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monticello flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monticello, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $7K
Monticello isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: White County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monticello
Disasters that paid out in Monticello itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monticello), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes25 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$52K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the City of Monticello for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding56 households applied for aid$84K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding318 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$44K to the City of Monticello for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Snow$4K to the City of Monticello for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding51 households applied for aid$91K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Monticello for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$8K to the City of Monticello for repairs
White 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 Monticello after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monticello archive →Monticello and its neighbors
Monticello has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Union Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Jefferson Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Norway | — | 282 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Monticello 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 Monticello
Is Monticello at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monticello has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #194 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monticello flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Monticello since 1981, $725K in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Monticello 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 White County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monticello?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monticello’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 Monticello?
By FEMA money that reached Monticello, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 318 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $44K to the City of Monticello for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Monticello at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Monticello’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monticello.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monticello’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.