Enter any address in Franklin County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from scattered thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Franklin County. Recent events include flash flooding on July 28, 2023, and May 7, 2024, both associated with showers and thunderstorms.
Over the past 30 years, NOAA data shows 77 flood and flash flood events occurred in the county, resulting in 10 fatalities. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A experienced an average water depth of 1.9 feet, while Zone X properties, despite a lower average water depth of 0.4 feet, had a higher average claim payout of $22,112.
Residents in Zone A and those located near rivers or streams should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Franklin County, Indiana has recorded 77 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 37 flash floods and 40 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1968–2026)
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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2023 | 200.00K (2 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2023 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Mar 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 17, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flood — Apr 5, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms produced locally heavy rainfall late in the evening and into the overnight hours.
Flash Flood — May 7, 2024
Showers and thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon and evening hours ahead of a low pressure system moving through the Ohio Valley.
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2023
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the evening hours in a warm and humid airmass. The thunderstorms persisted into the overnight hours.
Flood — Mar 25, 2023
A strong low pressure system moving through the Great Lakes region produced heavy rainfall and localized flooding.
Flood — Jul 23, 2023
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening hours as an upper level low pressure system moved through the Ohio Valley.
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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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.