Enter any address in Hancock County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Hancock County. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding in April 2025 following several days of intense rain, and isolated flash flooding in June 2022 due to highly unstable atmospheric conditions.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,084 and an average water depth of 5.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen significantly higher average payouts of $46,386, with an average water depth of 7.8 feet, despite fewer claims.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_UNSHADED, as well as those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hancock County, Indiana has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 21 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 (1974–2026)
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 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 26, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2017 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 22, 2013 | 50.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2012 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2011 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2009 | 3000.00K |
| Flood | Feb 11, 2009 | 0.00K |
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 — Jun 13, 2022
Hot and extremely humid surface conditions provided very high instability, while a slowly- advancing warm frontal zone promoted ample vertical wind shear, which led to widespread afternoon thunderstorms along and north of the I-74 corridor. Storms produced isolated flash flooding as well as marginally-severe winds and hail, over both north-central and east-central portions of central Indiana.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2021
During the overnight hours from June 30th to July 1st, a series of slow moving thunderstorms moved across portions of Indiana causing isolated pockets of flash flooding. There were several reports of rainfall amounts over 3 inches with widespread areas of 2-3 inches. The most significant flash flooding occurred in far eastern Fountain County where State Road 32 was shut down for several weeks ...
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 — Jun 23, 2017
The second significant rain event of June occurred on the 23rd. The combination of a cold front and the moisture from a tropical storm dumped heavy rains of 2 to more than 5 inches in portions of north central, east central and southeast Indiana. This lead to flooding across central and northern portions of central Indiana.
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 Hancock 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 Hancock 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.