Photo: Public domain · Public domainFor tornadoes, Tipton’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tipton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #446 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 58 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 stands out about Tipton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tipton 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 Tipton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tipton, and Tipton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #446 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tipton’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, Tipton has more expected damage per building than 75% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Tipton: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tipton flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tipton, from FEMA’s records: 23.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding5 claims · $116K
Tipton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tipton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tipton
Disasters that paid out in Tipton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tipton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding46 households applied for aid$240K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Tipton for repairs
- 2007Snow$12K to the City of Tipton for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$75K to the City of Tipton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding61 households applied for aid$123K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$5K to the City of Tipton for repairs
Tipton County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Tipton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tipton archive →Get ready for what Tipton 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 Tipton
Is Tipton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tipton has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #446 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tipton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Tipton since 1989, $1.2M in all, or 23.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding (5).
Is Tipton 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 Tipton County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tipton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tipton’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 Tipton?
By FEMA money that reached Tipton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 46 households applied for aid, $240K approved. By flood claims, 2026-08-Indiana-Flooding: 5 paid, $116K.
Is Tipton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Tipton’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tipton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tipton’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.