Photo: Andyrowell94 at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Upland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #168 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (23%). 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 Upland 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
Hail
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 Upland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upland, and Upland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #168 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Upland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Upland has less expected damage per building than 72% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $930K a year in losses across Upland: $612K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Upland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Upland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Upland
Disasters that paid out in Upland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Upland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding62 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$11K to the Town of Upland for repairs
Grant County has had 18 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 Upland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upland archive →Get ready for what Upland 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Upland
Is Upland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upland has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #168 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (23%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Upland 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 Grant County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Upland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upland’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 Upland?
By FEMA money that reached Upland, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): 62 households applied for aid, $47K approved, and $11K to the Town of Upland for repairs.
Is Upland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Upland’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upland’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.