East Wabash Historic District · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWabash’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wabash gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #375 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1998.
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 Wabash 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
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 Wabash’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wabash, and Wabash’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #375 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wabash’s residents live in 5 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, Wabash has more expected damage per building than 63% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Wabash: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wabash flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wabash, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wabash isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wabash County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wabash
Disasters that paid out in Wabash itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wabash), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Snow$13K to the City of Wabash for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$37K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$10K to the City of Wabash for repairs
Wabash County has had 11 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 Wabash after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wabash archive →Get ready for what Wabash 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.
- 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 Wabash
Is Wabash at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wabash has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #375 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wabash flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Wabash since 1998, $240K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wabash 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 Wabash County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wabash?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wabash’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 Wabash?
By FEMA money that reached Wabash, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 26 households applied for aid, $37K approved.
Is Wabash at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Wabash’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wabash.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wabash’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.