Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Warsaw than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warsaw gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
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 Warsaw 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 Warsaw’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warsaw, and Warsaw’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warsaw’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Warsaw: $729K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warsaw flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warsaw, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $39K
Warsaw isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gallatin County.The storms Warsaw remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Gallatin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Warsaw itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20251 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Gallatin County
Gallatin County has had 12 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 Warsaw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warsaw archive →Get ready for what Warsaw 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 Warsaw
Is Warsaw at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warsaw has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warsaw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Warsaw since 2025, $39K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Warsaw 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 Gallatin County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warsaw?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warsaw’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 Warsaw?
By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $39K.
Is Warsaw at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Warsaw’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warsaw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warsaw’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.