Enter any address in Adams County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Wabash River and flash flooding from heavy rainfall events are the dominant flood characteristics for Adams County. Recent events include a flash flood event in May 2017 that impacted both rural and urban areas, causing road closures and requiring rescues. More recently, in March 2023, high water on the Wabash River led to a fatal incident when a driver disregarded road closure signs.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows that Zone A, which typically has a higher flood risk, has the highest number of claims. However, properties in Zone X, including shaded and unshaded areas, have also experienced claims with significant average payouts and water depths, indicating risk beyond the highest-risk zones. Homeowners in areas near rivers, as well as those in Zone A or other identified flood zones, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Adams County, Indiana has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 30, 2008 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 12, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 1, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 4, 2003 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 6, 2023 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Jul 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 28, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2003 | — |
| Flood | Jul 5, 2003 | 5M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2003 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2003 | — |
| Flood | Jul 21, 2001 | — |
Flood — Mar 6, 2023
One to two inches of rain fell across the Upper Wabash River basin on March 3rd, causing the Wabash River to rise well into minor flood stage on the 5th and 6th of March. A driver disregarded road closed signs in rural Adams county near the Wabash River and subsequently drown after driving into the high water.
Flood — Jul 16, 2021
An axis of heavy rain set up along and south of US 24, with flash flooding reported in Fort Wayne along SR-1 and I 469. Isolated amounts of 3-6 of rain were reported, with reports of 1-3 more widespread. Several rivers went into action stage during the event.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2017
An upper level system interacted with an unstable environment, causing the development of thunderstorms. High precipitable water values and training of several thunderstorms cause a narrow swath of intense rainfall. This subsequently caused rapid water rises in rural and urban areas, resulting in numerous road closures as well as some rescues from stranded vehicles. Portions of Allen and Adams ...
Flood — Feb 28, 2011
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed and moved across portions of Northern Indiana. One to three inches of rain fell across the area with localized higher amounts. This resulted in some roads becoming impassable due to flood waters. The event continued into March when a few rivers went over their banks.
Flood — Feb 7, 2008
A snowpack of one to three inches rapidly melted as warm air arrive in the region. This snowmelt, combined with a partially frozen, very moist ground and rainfall from two to locally over 3 inches, resulted in an increase in low land and river flooding running along and south of a Knox to north of Millersburg line. At the onset, some flash flooding occurred in areas experiencing rainfall rates ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Adams County, Indiana:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Adams County, Indiana that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.