Enter any address in Clay County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Clay County, Indiana. Between 2004 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 25 flood events and 20 flash flood events. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding and major river stage increases following heavy rainfall in April 2025, and pockets of flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms causing over 4 inches of rain in spots in August 2023.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that while Zone A areas have seen the most claims, properties in other zones have also experienced flooding. Zone A areas had 8 claims with an average payout of $24,278 and an average water depth of 1.1 feet. However, Zone X_UNSHADED areas had 3 claims with an average payout of $9,627 and an average water depth of 6.7 feet, and Zone UNKNOWN areas had 4 claims with an average payout of $14,170 and an average water depth of 3.2 feet.
Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay particular attention to flood risk in areas identified as Zone A, as well as properties located near creeks and rivers, given the frequency of flash flooding and river overflow events.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clay County, Indiana has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 25 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1959–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 30, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 5, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 30, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 1, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 3, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 21, 2020 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 8, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2016 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2014 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2011 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2009 | 0.75K |
| Flood | May 13, 2009 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 5, 2025
The final round of rain in a stretch of 4 days brought rain amounts of 2-4.5 inches of rain to central Indiana in addition to the 3-5 inches that had fallen. This led to additional widespread flash flooding and exacerbated ongoing creek and river flooding to a point that many main stem rivers ended up reaching major flood stage.
Flood — Aug 25, 2023
Two rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms moved through portions of central Indiana initially during the evening hours with a second round during the early overnight. The initial round brought isolated wind damage to areas around Knox county. Later into the overnight a second round of storms drifted southeast across the Indianapolis area causing additional damage. At times these thundersto...
Flood — Oct 21, 2020
During the early morning hours of October 21st, a series of training thunderstorms brought heavy rain to portions of central Indiana. The heaviest rain fell across an axis generally just north of I-70 with rain amounts in excess of 3 inches in spots. This lead to a few areas of minor flooding with little impacts noted.
Flash Flood — Sep 8, 2018
The remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon interacted with a surface front to produce widespread heavy rain across much of central Indiana. The moisture content of the atmosphere was very high. Precipitable water, a measure of moisture content in the atmosphere, is normally around 1 inch for early September in Indiana. Precipitable water amounts approached 2 inches for parts of the area on September...
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2016
A few upper disturbances moved across central Indiana, interacting with a hot and unstable atmosphere to produce numerous thunderstorms. Some of the storms became severe and produced damaging winds and large hail.
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 Clay 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 Clay 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.