Enter any address in Ripley County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Ripley County, Indiana. Between 1996 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 78 flood events and 77 flash flood events in the county. For example, localized flooding occurred on July 1, 2025, due to heavy rainfall from showers and storms. Similar conditions produced heavy rainfall and damaging winds on July 28, 2025.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has processed claims in various flood zones within the county. Zone A, typically areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, has seen 11 claims with an average payout of $4,842 and an average water depth of 0.1 feet. Zone X, representing areas with a lower probability of flooding, has had 2 claims, with an average payout of $1,018 and an average water depth of 50.0 feet.
Residents in areas designated as Zone A, particularly those near rivers or in low-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or those located in areas prone to flash flooding from heavy rainfall events should also be aware of potential flood hazards.
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.
Ripley County, Indiana has recorded 155 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 77 flash floods and 78 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1968–2026)
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, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And | Severe Storm | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 8, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 28, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed along a frontal boundary that was moving south into the Ohio Valley.
Flood — Jul 28, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms formed in a hot and humid airmass; some of these storms produced heavy rainfall and damaging winds.
Flood — Jun 17, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours in a warm and humid airmass.
Flash Flood — Feb 16, 2025
Heavy rain associated with a low pressure system fell across much of the Ohio Valley.
Flood — Feb 15, 2025
Heavy rain associated with a low pressure system fell across much of 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 Ripley 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 Ripley 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.