Enter any address in Martin County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Martin County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 27 flood events and 21 flash flood events, resulting in two reported fatalities. For example, in July and August of 2020, a stationary storm dropped 6 to 8 inches of rain over Martin and Daviess counties, causing significant flooding near Shoals. Earlier, in April 2025, multiple days of heavy rainfall led to widespread flash flooding and pushed main stem rivers to major flood stage.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent flood claims, with an average payout of $17,475 and an average water depth of 7.8 feet. Properties in Zone Unknown also saw claims, averaging $2,795 with a 6.0-foot water depth. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near creeks and rivers, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Martin County, Indiana has recorded 48 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 27 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1979–2026)
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 |
| 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 | 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 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Aug 4, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 7, 2018 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2017 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2015 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2014 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2013 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2011 | 1.00K |
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 4, 2025
During the late afternoon and early evening of the 4th, slow moving thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall and flooding to portions of west-central and southwest central Indiana. Flooding was most significant in southeastern Vigo County near Blackhawk where a video showed flash flooding of a field and nearby road. Later in the day, flash flooding also occurred in Daviess County and Lawrence Co...
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2020
During the late evening hours of July 31st, a nearly stationary storm formed over portions of Martin and Daviess county. Over the course of 3 hours, 6 to 8 inches of rain fell across areas that had received 4 to 6 inches the day before. This led to significant flooding near the town of Shoals as well as other rural portions of Martin and Daviess counties.
Flash Flood — Aug 1, 2020
During the late evening hours of July 31st, a nearly stationary storm formed over portions of Martin and Daviess county. Over the course of 3 hours, 6 to 8 inches of rain fell across areas that had received 4 to 6 inches the day before. This led to significant flooding near the town of Shoals as well as other rural portions of Martin and Daviess counties.
Flash Flood — Sep 7, 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...
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 Martin 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 Martin 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.