FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Sellersburg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sellersburg gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #449 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1989.
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 Sellersburg 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 Sellersburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sellersburg, and Sellersburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #449 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sellersburg’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, Sellersburg has more expected damage per building than 76% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Sellersburg: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sellersburg flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sellersburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $1K
Sellersburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clark County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sellersburg
Disasters that paid out in Sellersburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sellersburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$69K to the Town of Sellersburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding200 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$74K to the Town of Sellersburg for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Clark 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 Sellersburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sellersburg archive →Sellersburg and its neighbors
Sellersburg is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Creek Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Sellersburg | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Clarksville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| New Albany Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Carr Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Union Township | Cmore damage than 71% | 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 Sellersburg 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 Sellersburg
Is Sellersburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sellersburg has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #449 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sellersburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Sellersburg since 1989, $178K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Sellersburg 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 Clark County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sellersburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sellersburg’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 Sellersburg?
By FEMA money that reached Sellersburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 200 households applied for aid, $38K approved, and $74K to the Town of Sellersburg for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Sellersburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Sellersburg’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sellersburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sellersburg’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.