Enter any address in Decatur County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates flood occurrences in Decatur County. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding and creek and river overflow in April 2025, following several days of intense rain. In March 2020, heavy rain from a low-pressure system caused numerous state and local road closures due to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $27,088 and an average water depth of 12.1 feet. While Zone X_UNSHADED has fewer claims, the average payout is significantly higher at $50,881, though with a much lower average water depth of 1.3 feet. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in proximity to rivers and streams, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Decatur County, Indiana has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 18 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 (1974–2026)
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 Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 12, 2008 |
| 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 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 20, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2019 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 7, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Dec 31, 2018 | 0.25K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2018 | 0.25K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2018 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2017 | 2.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 4, 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.
Flash Flood — Mar 20, 2020
During the overnight hours of March 19th, a strong low pressure system brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to central Indiana. The heaviest rain fell across south central Indiana with 2 to 3 inches of rain. Decatur county was the heaviest hit area with numerous state and local roads closed.
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2019
Central Indiana saw severe weather and flooding June 15th through the 17th. A warm front brought severe storms, tornadoes, and heavy rain on June 15th. The stalled front and upper waves brought more heavy rain and some severe storms on June 16th and 17th. The repeated rounds of heavy rain caused flooding across the area.
Flash Flood — Feb 7, 2019
A low pressure system moved into the forecast area bringing plentiful moisture and produced thunderstorms and waves of moderate to heavy rain to central Indiana around February 7th. The storms produced a tornado in a strong shear and low instability environment. Over 4 inches of rain fell in a couple of days in some areas. The heavy rain produced flash flooding, and extensive flooding developed...
Flood — Dec 31, 2018
Storm system approached from the southwest bringing multiple shots of rain during the morning and afternoon of December 31st. Up to one and a half to two inches of rain fell across central Indiana. Some minor flooding was noted in Decatur County due to heavy rainfall.
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 Decatur 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 Decatur 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.