William Henry Harrison Home (Grouseland) · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Vincennes faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vincennes gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #363 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1979.
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 Vincennes 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 Vincennes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vincennes, and Vincennes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 38% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #363 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vincennes’ residents live in 7 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, Vincennes has more expected damage per building than 61% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Vincennes: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vincennes flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vincennes, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $79K
- The Storm2 claims · $86K
Vincennes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vincennes
Disasters that paid out in Vincennes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vincennes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$14K to the City of Vincennes for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$10K to the City of Vincennes for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$16K to the City of Vincennes for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$139K to the City of Vincennes for repairs
Knox County has had 15 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 Vincennes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vincennes archive →Get ready for what Vincennes 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 Vincennes
Is Vincennes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vincennes has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #363 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vincennes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Vincennes since 1979, $545K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Vincennes 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 Knox County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Vincennes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vincennes’ 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 Vincennes?
By FEMA money that reached Vincennes, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $139K to the City of Vincennes for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $79K.
Is Vincennes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Vincennes’ rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vincennes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vincennes’ 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.