Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Prairie Creek Township than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairie Creek Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 2002.
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 Prairie Creek Township 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 Prairie Creek Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prairie Creek Township, and Prairie Creek Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 23% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Prairie Creek Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $575K a year in losses across Prairie Creek Township: $326K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prairie Creek Township flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prairie Creek Township, from FEMA’s records: 26.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm2 claims · $23K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $55K
Prairie Creek Township 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 Prairie Creek Township
Disasters that paid out in Prairie Creek Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Prairie Creek Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
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 Prairie Creek Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prairie Creek Township archive →Prairie Creek Township and its neighbors
Prairie Creek Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairieton Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Linton Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Prairie Creek Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Darwin Township | — | 316 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fairbanks Township | — | 532 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Prairie Creek Township 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 Prairie Creek Township
Is Prairie Creek Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairie Creek Township has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (23%). 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 Prairie Creek Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Prairie Creek Township since 2002, $212K in all, or 26.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (2).
Is Prairie Creek Township 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 Prairie Creek Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prairie Creek Township’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 Prairie Creek Township?
By FEMA money that reached Prairie Creek Township, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 4 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Storm: 2 paid, $23K.
Is Prairie Creek Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Prairie Creek Township’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prairie Creek Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prairie Creek Township’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.