Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Indiana faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indiana gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #53 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 109 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Indiana’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Indiana 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 Indiana’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indiana, and Indiana’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #53 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Indiana’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Indiana has less expected damage per building than 95% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Indiana: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indiana flood? Yes: 109 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indiana, from FEMA’s records: 16.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan24 claims · $120K
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $4K
Indiana isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Indiana County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Indiana
Disasters that paid out in Indiana itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Indiana), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan90 households applied for aid$154K aid approved24 flood claims paid for it, $120K
Indiana County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Indiana after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indiana archive →Indiana and its neighbors
Indiana has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
| Chevy Chase Heights | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Indiana 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 Indiana
Is Indiana at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indiana has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #53 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indiana flood?
Flood insurance has paid 109 claims in Indiana since 1979, $496K in all, or 16.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (24).
Is Indiana 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 Indiana County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Indiana?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Indiana’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 Indiana?
By FEMA money that reached Indiana, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 90 households applied for aid, $154K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 24 paid, $120K.
Is Indiana at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Indiana’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indiana.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indiana’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.