Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Paoli’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paoli gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #576 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Paoli 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 Paoli’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paoli, and Paoli’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #576 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paoli’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, Paoli has more expected damage per building than 97% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Paoli: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paoli flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paoli, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $3K
Paoli isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paoli
Disasters that paid out in Paoli itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Paoli), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$42K to the Town of Paoli for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$18K to the Town of Paoli for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$15K to the Town of Paoli for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$29K to the Town of Paoli for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Snow$7K to the Town of Paoli for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$16K to the Town of Paoli for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding75 households applied for aid$229K aid approved$21K to the Town of Paoli for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$8K to the Town of Paoli for repairs
Orange County has had 16 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 Paoli after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paoli archive →Get ready for what Paoli 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 Paoli
Is Paoli at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paoli has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #576 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paoli flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Paoli since 1982, $84K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Paoli 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 Orange County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paoli?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paoli’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 Paoli?
By FEMA money that reached Paoli, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 75 households applied for aid, $229K approved, and $21K to the Town of Paoli for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Paoli at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Paoli’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paoli.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paoli’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.