Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Salem than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #547 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1990.
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 stands out about Salem’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Salem 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem, and Salem’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #547 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salem’s residents live in 4 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, Salem has more expected damage per building than 92% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Salem: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem, from FEMA’s records: 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Salem isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salem
Disasters that paid out in Salem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$27K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes21 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$21K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$21K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding194 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$171K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2004Snow$15K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding61 households applied for aid$143K aid approved$38K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$6K to the City of Salem for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Washington County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Salem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem archive →Get ready for what Salem 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
Is Salem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #547 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Salem since 1990, $2.3M in all, or 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Salem 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 Washington County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem’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?
By FEMA money that reached Salem, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 194 households applied for aid, $93K approved, and $171K to the City of Salem for repairs.
Is Salem at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Salem’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem’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.