FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in North Terre Haute as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Terre Haute gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #432 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (12%). 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 North Terre Haute 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 North Terre Haute’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Terre Haute, and North Terre Haute’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #432 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Terre Haute’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, North Terre Haute has more expected damage per building than 73% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across North Terre Haute: $969K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Terre Haute flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in North Terre Haute. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
North Terre Haute isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vigo County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Terre Haute
Disasters that paid out in North Terre Haute itself (aid to households or repair grants to North Terre Haute), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
Vigo County has had 13 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 Terre Haute after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Terre Haute archive →North Terre Haute and its neighbors
North Terre Haute has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Terre Haute | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Terre Haute | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
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 Terre Haute 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 North Terre Haute
Is North Terre Haute at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Terre Haute has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #432 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is North Terre Haute 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 Vigo County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Terre Haute?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Terre Haute’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 Terre Haute?
By FEMA money that reached North Terre Haute, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 3 households applied for aid, $20K approved.
Is North Terre Haute at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and North Terre Haute’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Terre Haute.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Terre Haute’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.