Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0North Vernon’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Vernon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #358 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (22%). 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 North Vernon 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 North Vernon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Vernon, and North Vernon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #358 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Vernon’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, North Vernon has more expected damage per building than 60% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across North Vernon: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Vernon flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Vernon, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jennings County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Vernon
Disasters that paid out in North Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$10K to the City of North Vernon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding245 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$76K to the City of North Vernon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes18 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$21K to the City of North Vernon for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Snow$30K to the City of North Vernon for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Jennings County has had 15 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 North Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Vernon archive →North Vernon and its neighbors
North Vernon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Vernon | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Center Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Country Squire Lakes | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vernon Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Vernon 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 North Vernon
Is North Vernon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Vernon has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #358 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in North Vernon since 1979, $37K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is North Vernon 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 Jennings County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Vernon’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 Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached North Vernon, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 245 households applied for aid, $82K approved, and $76K to the City of North Vernon for repairs.
Is North Vernon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and North Vernon’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Vernon’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.