Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA puts North Manchester’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Manchester gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #232 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1982.
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 North Manchester 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
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 North Manchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Manchester, and North Manchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #232 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Manchester’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Manchester has less expected damage per building than 61% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across North Manchester: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Manchester flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Manchester, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Manchester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wabash County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Manchester
Disasters that paid out in North Manchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Manchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Town of North Manchester for repairs
- 2007Snow$5K to the Town of North Manchester for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$793 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$3K to the Town of North Manchester for repairs
- 2000Snow$4K to the Town of North Manchester for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$4K to the Town of North Manchester for repairs
Wabash County has had 11 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 North Manchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Manchester archive →North Manchester and its neighbors
North Manchester is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chester Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North Manchester | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 North Manchester 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.
- 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 North Manchester
Is North Manchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Manchester has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #232 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Manchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in North Manchester since 1982, $9K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Manchester 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 Wabash County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Manchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Manchester’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 North Manchester?
By FEMA money that reached North Manchester, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2014): $7K to the Town of North Manchester for repairs.
Is North Manchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and North Manchester’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Manchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Manchester’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.