Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in New Palestine than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Palestine gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #218 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 New Palestine 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 New Palestine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Palestine, and New Palestine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #218 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Palestine’s residents live in 2 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, New Palestine has less expected damage per building than 63% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $846K a year in losses across New Palestine: $668K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Palestine flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in New Palestine. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
New Palestine 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Palestine
Disasters that paid out in New Palestine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Palestine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2007Snow$2K to the Town of New Palestine for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 New Palestine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Palestine archive →Get ready for what New Palestine 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 New Palestine
Is New Palestine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Palestine has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #218 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is New Palestine 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 New Palestine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Palestine’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 New Palestine?
By FEMA money that reached New Palestine, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is New Palestine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and New Palestine’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Palestine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Palestine’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.