For strong wind, Santa Claus’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Santa Claus gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #507 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Santa Claus 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
Strong wind
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 Santa Claus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Santa Claus, and Santa Claus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #507 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Santa Claus’ residents live in 2 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, Santa Claus has more expected damage per building than 85% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Santa Claus: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Santa Claus flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Santa Claus. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Santa Claus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Spencer County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Santa Claus
Disasters that paid out in Santa Claus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Santa Claus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Spencer County has had 12 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 Santa Claus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Santa Claus archive →Santa Claus and its neighbors
Santa Claus is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carter Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Santa Claus | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Harrison Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clay Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Santa Claus 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Santa Claus
Is Santa Claus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Santa Claus has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #507 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Santa Claus 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 Spencer County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Santa Claus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Santa Claus’ 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 Santa Claus?
By FEMA money that reached Santa Claus, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 7 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Santa Claus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Santa Claus’ rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Santa Claus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Santa Claus’ 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.