Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Rensselaer faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rensselaer gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #487 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Rensselaer 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
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 Rensselaer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rensselaer, and Rensselaer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #487 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rensselaer’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, Rensselaer has more expected damage per building than 82% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Rensselaer: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rensselaer flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rensselaer, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rensselaer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rensselaer
Disasters that paid out in Rensselaer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rensselaer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$16K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$30K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$6K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs
- 2007Snow$7K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$596 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding86 households applied for aid$209K aid approved$93K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$2K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$10K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs
Jasper County has had 16 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 Rensselaer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rensselaer archive →Get ready for what Rensselaer 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.
- 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 Rensselaer
Is Rensselaer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rensselaer has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #487 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rensselaer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Rensselaer since 1979, $134K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Rensselaer 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 Jasper County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rensselaer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rensselaer’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 Rensselaer?
By FEMA money that reached Rensselaer, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 86 households applied for aid, $209K approved, and $93K to the City of Rensselaer for repairs.
Is Rensselaer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Rensselaer’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rensselaer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rensselaer’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.