Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Scottsburg’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scottsburg gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #250 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2000.
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 Scottsburg 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 Scottsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scottsburg, and Scottsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #250 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scottsburg’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, Scottsburg has less expected damage per building than 58% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Scottsburg: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scottsburg flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scottsburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Scottsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scott County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scottsburg
Disasters that paid out in Scottsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Scottsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$21K to the City of Scottsburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding263 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$199K to the City of Scottsburg for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Snow$8K to the City of Scottsburg for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Scott County has had 14 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 Scottsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scottsburg archive →Get ready for what Scottsburg 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 Scottsburg
Is Scottsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scottsburg has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #250 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scottsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Scottsburg since 2000, $137K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Scottsburg 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 Scott County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Scottsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scottsburg’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 Scottsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Scottsburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 263 households applied for aid, $103K approved, and $199K to the City of Scottsburg for repairs.
Is Scottsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Scottsburg’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scottsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scottsburg’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.