David Worth Dennis House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFor tornadoes, Richmond’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #362 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1981.
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 Richmond 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 Richmond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richmond, and Richmond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #362 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richmond’s residents live in 11 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, Richmond has more expected damage per building than 61% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.7M a year in losses across Richmond: $9.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richmond flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richmond, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding3 claims · $49K
Richmond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richmond
Disasters that paid out in Richmond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richmond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding167 households applied for aid$730K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$165K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$915 aid approved$1K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Snow$55K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$45K to the City of Richmond for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Wayne County has had 12 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 Richmond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richmond archive →Richmond and its neighbors
Richmond has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wayne Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Center Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Spring Grove | — | 464 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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Is Richmond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #362 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richmond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Richmond since 1981, $70K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding (3).
Is Richmond 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 Wayne County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richmond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richmond’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 Richmond?
By FEMA money that reached Richmond, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 167 households applied for aid, $730K approved. By flood claims, 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding: 3 paid, $49K.
Is Richmond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Richmond’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richmond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richmond’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.