Photo: w:en:Dsyrengelas · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Indian Lake 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, Indian Lake gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2011.
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 Indian Lake 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
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 Indian Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indian Lake, and Indian Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Indian Lake’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Indian Lake: $964K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indian Lake flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indian Lake, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Indian Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Indian Lake
Disasters that paid out in Indian Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Indian Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$478K to the Town of Indian Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Town of Indian Lake for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$7K to the Town of Indian Lake for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$115K to the Town of Indian Lake for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$56K to the Town of Indian Lake for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Town of Indian Lake for repairs
Hamilton County has had 12 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Indian Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indian Lake archive →Indian Lake and its neighbors
Indian Lake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Lake | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Johnsburg | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Minerva | — | 836 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lake Pleasant | — | 863 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wells | — | 671 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Long Lake | — | 875 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Arietta | — | 264 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Speculator | — | 409 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 Indian Lake 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.
- 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 Indian Lake
Is Indian Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian Lake has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%) and earthquakes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indian Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Indian Lake since 2011, $88K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Indian Lake 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 Hamilton County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Indian Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Indian Lake’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 Indian Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Indian Lake, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $478K to the Town of Indian Lake for repairs.
Is Indian Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Indian Lake’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indian Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indian Lake’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.