Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in West Baden Springs
West Baden Springs isn’t graded for hazard risk: West Baden Springs has 543 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 63 claims here since 1979.
What West Baden Springs 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.
Does West Baden Springs flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Baden Springs, from FEMA’s records.
- The March storm9 claims · $152K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $38K
West Baden Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Baden Springs
Disasters that paid out in West Baden Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Baden Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
Orange County has had 16 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 West Baden Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Baden Springs archive →West Baden Springs and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Lick | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Prospect | — | 96 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 West Baden Springs 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 West Baden Springs
Does West Baden Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in West Baden Springs since 1979, $481K in all. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (9).
Is West Baden Springs 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 Orange County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Baden Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Baden Springs’ 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 West Baden Springs?
By FEMA money that reached West Baden Springs, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 12 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 9 paid, $152K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Baden Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Baden Springs’ 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.