Photo: Huwmanbeing (original), Yassie (jpeg conversion) · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Terre Haute faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Terre Haute gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #559 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 52 claims here since 1978.
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 Terre Haute’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Terre Haute 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 Terre Haute’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Terre Haute, and Terre Haute’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #559 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Terre Haute’s residents live in 24 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, Terre Haute has more expected damage per building than 94% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.2M a year in losses across Terre Haute: $20.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Terre Haute flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Terre Haute, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm16 claims · $360K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $76K
Terre Haute isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vigo County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Terre Haute
Disasters that paid out in Terre Haute itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Terre Haute), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2,672 households applied for aid$8.4M aid approved$157K to the City of Terre Haute for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$113K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$36K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$57K to the City of Terre Haute for repairs
Vigo County has had 13 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 Terre Haute after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Terre Haute archive →Terre Haute and its neighbors
Terre Haute is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Lost Creek Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Honey Creek Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| North Terre Haute | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Terre Haute | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Harrison Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Terre Haute 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 Terre Haute
Is Terre Haute at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Terre Haute has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #559 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Terre Haute flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Terre Haute since 1978, $951K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (16).
Is Terre Haute 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 Vigo County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Terre Haute?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Terre Haute’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 Terre Haute?
By FEMA money that reached Terre Haute, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 2,672 households applied for aid, $8.4M approved, and $157K to the City of Terre Haute for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 16 paid, $360K.
Is Terre Haute at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Terre Haute’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Terre Haute.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Terre Haute’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.