Enter any address in Benton County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Benton County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 14 recorded flash flood events and 9 flood events. Recent examples include scattered thunderstorms producing flash flooding across the area in June 2017, and heavy rain resulting in flash flooding in July 2015, with one spotter recording 3.32 inches of rain in Morocco. More recently, in August 2023, heavy rain across northwest Indiana led to areas of flooding, with rainfall totals reaching 4.58 inches near Mount Ayr.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near waterways or in low-lying locations, should pay close attention to flood risk. Homeowners in zones without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation should also be aware of potential flood impacts.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Benton County, Indiana has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 (1974–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 31, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 30, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 7, 2008 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 12, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 5, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2012 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 10, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 30, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 5, 2023
Very heavy rain fell across portions of northwest Indiana on August 5th which resulted in areas of flooding. The highest storm total rainfall amounts included 4.58 inches near Mount Ayr; 4.51 inches five miles northwest of Earl Park; 4.03 inches two miles southwest of Rensselaer; 3.24 inches near Remington and 3.07 inches four miles west of Wheatfield.
Flash Flood — Jun 13, 2017
Scattered thunderstorms produced hail and flooding across parts of Northwest Indiana during the afternoon and evening of June 13 into the early morning of June 14th.
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2015
Thunderstorms produced heavy rain that resulted in flash flooding across portions of northwest Indiana late on July 8th into July 9th. A trained spotter measured 3.32 inches of rain in Morocco, Indiana.
Flash Flood — Jun 23, 2014
A line of strong thunderstorms slowly moved across northwest Indiana producing torrential rain and flooding. Rainfall totals between four and five inches produced flash flooding in some areas.
Flash Flood — May 6, 2012
A warm front slowly lifted northward across the region with thunderstorms moving into northwest Indiana during the evening of May 6th. Slow storm motions and additional thunderstorms developing overnight lead to areas of flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Benton 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 Benton 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.