Enter any address in Putnam County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall events, including both floods and flash floods, is the primary flood hazard in Putnam County. Recent events include widespread flash flooding in April 2025 following several days of heavy rain, and flash flooding and road washouts reported in northwestern Putnam County in June 2022 due to thunderstorms.
Analysis of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims shows that while Zone A properties have experienced the most claims, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen significantly higher average payouts and water depths. Residents in areas identified as Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and those near creeks and rivers should pay close attention to flood risk information.
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.
Putnam County, Indiana has recorded 59 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 34 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1990–2026)
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 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 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 12, 2007 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2022 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2016 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2015 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2015 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2014 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Aug 23, 2014 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2013 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Jun 14, 2010 | 0.50K |
Flood — Jun 14, 2025
Multiple rounds of slow-moving storms impacted much of north central Indiana during the late overnight and morning hours of June 14th with rain totals as high as 6 inches. Numerous roads were closed with the most severe flooding noted on the south side of Kokomo. This flooding led to minor flooding along the Wildcat creek basin and the upper Wabash and upper White rivers.
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.
Flash Flood — Jun 12, 2022
West-northwesterly winds along a slowly-advancing warm frontal zone promoted the ample bulk shear and copious instability that produced numerous morning showers and thunderstorms. Storms tracked eastward along the I-74 corridor, producing isolated large hail, and later isolated wind damage and flash flooding. A road was washed-out in a possible microburst over northwestern Putnam County. All...
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2016
Bands of showers and thunderstorms, oriented from southwest to northeast, affected portions of central Indiana during the late morning through mid-afternoon of August 13th. Heavy downpours produced a couple flash flooding reports during the early to mid-afternoon timeframe.
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2015
A northeast to southwest oriented line of thunderstorms moved east-southeast from west-central Indiana into central Indiana during the morning hours of June 25th. These storms produced a singular wind damage and small hail report. North of these thunderstorms was a large shield of rain caused some flash flooding across 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 Putnam 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 Putnam 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.