Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Sullivan than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #273 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (27%). 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 stands out about Sullivan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sullivan 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
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 Sullivan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sullivan, and Sullivan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 27% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #273 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sullivan’s 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, Sullivan has less expected damage per building than 54% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Sullivan: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sullivan flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sullivan. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sullivan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sullivan County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sullivan
Disasters that paid out in Sullivan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sullivan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes188 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Sullivan for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the City of Sullivan for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes71 households applied for aid$141K aid approved$4K to the City of Sullivan for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Snow$3K to the City of Sullivan for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$37K to the City of Sullivan for repairs
Sullivan County has had 16 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 Sullivan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sullivan archive →Get ready for what Sullivan 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.
- 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 Sullivan
Is Sullivan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #273 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sullivan 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 Sullivan County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sullivan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sullivan’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 Sullivan?
By FEMA money that reached Sullivan, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 188 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Sullivan for repairs.
Is Sullivan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Sullivan’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sullivan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sullivan’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.