Richwood Evangelical Lutheran Church · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Salem Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #244 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1992.
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 Salem 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
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 Salem Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem Township, and Salem Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #244 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Salem Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Salem Township has less expected damage per building than 59% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Salem Township: $979K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem Township flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding2 claims · $136K
Salem 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: Delaware County.The storms Salem Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Delaware County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Salem Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20262 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Delaware County
- 19921 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Delaware County
- 20031 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Delaware County
Delaware County has had 15 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 Salem Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem Township archive →Salem Township and its neighbors
Salem Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Union Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Salem Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fall Creek Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Yorktown | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Salem 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.
- 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 Salem Township
Is Salem Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Township has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #244 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (11%). 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 Salem Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Salem Township since 1992, $177K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding (2).
Is Salem 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 Delaware County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem 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 Salem Township?
By flood claims, 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding: 2 paid, $136K.
Is Salem Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Salem Township’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem 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.