Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Prairieton Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairieton Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2008.
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 Prairieton 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 Prairieton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prairieton Township, and Prairieton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% 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 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prairieton Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $500K a year in losses across Prairieton Township: $312K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prairieton Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prairieton Township, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm3 claims · $161K
Prairieton 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 Prairieton Township
Disasters that paid out in Prairieton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Prairieton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved3 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 Prairieton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prairieton Township archive →Prairieton Township and its neighbors
Prairieton Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. 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 |
| Prairie Creek Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Sugar Creek Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Honey Creek Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Wabash Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Darwin Township | — | 316 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 Prairieton 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 Prairieton Township
Is Prairieton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairieton Township has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prairieton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Prairieton Township since 2008, $183K in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (3).
Is Prairieton 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 Prairieton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prairieton 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 Prairieton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Prairieton Township, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Storm: 3 paid, $161K.
Is Prairieton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Prairieton Township’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prairieton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prairieton 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.