Photo: Stickman42 · CC BY-SA 4.0Whiteland’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whiteland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #482 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Whiteland 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 Whiteland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whiteland, and Whiteland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #482 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whiteland’s residents live in 4 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, Whiteland has more expected damage per building than 81% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Whiteland: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whiteland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whiteland, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Whiteland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Whiteland
Disasters that paid out in Whiteland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Whiteland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes172 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$367K to the Town of Whiteland for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Town of Whiteland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes57 households applied for aid$202K aid approved$24K to the Town of Whiteland for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$725 aid approved
- 2004Snow$9K to the Town of Whiteland for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$3K to the Town of Whiteland for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$4K to the Town of Whiteland for repairs
Johnson County has had 13 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 Whiteland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whiteland archive →Whiteland and its neighbors
Whiteland is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| New Whiteland | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Whiteland | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Franklin | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
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 Whiteland 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 Whiteland
Is Whiteland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whiteland has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #482 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Whiteland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Whiteland since 2009, $4K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Whiteland 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 Johnson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Whiteland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whiteland’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 Whiteland?
By FEMA money that reached Whiteland, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 172 households applied for aid, $96K approved, and $367K to the Town of Whiteland for repairs.
Is Whiteland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Whiteland’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whiteland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whiteland’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.