Enter any address in Sullivan County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Sullivan County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA data indicates 92 flood events and 26 flash flood events. Recent occurrences highlight the potential for significant disruption. For example, on July 8, 2022, stationary thunderstorms produced extremely heavy rain in portions of Sullivan County, leading to flash flooding. Similarly, on July 19, 2020, over 4 inches of rain fell in west central Indiana, causing flash flooding in Sullivan County that resulted in the closure of US 41 for several hours.
Homeowners, real estate agents, and journalists should pay particular attention to flood risk, especially those residing in areas prone to flash flooding or near creeks and rivers that can rapidly overflow.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
17 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sullivan County, Indiana has recorded 118 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 92 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 31, 2023 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2022 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2020 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Oct 19, 2016 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 21, 2013 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Sep 7, 2012 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 9, 2011 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 9, 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.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2023
This episode is a continuation of the episode from June 30th with two rounds of storms. The first round occurred during the overnight hours of the 30th into the 1st with a few reports of damaging wind gusts. The most impressive area of wind damage was across Decatur county. Storms reinitiated across western Indiana during the evening hours of the 1st with flash flooding and additional wind d...
Flash Flood — Jul 8, 2022
During the morning hours of July 8th, thunderstorms remained nearly stationary across portions of central Indiana with a period of extremely heavy rain across much of Greene county and portions of Sullivan and Vigo counties. A quasi-tropical pattern led to increased rainfall rates with reports as great as 6.19 at the Graysville 5 WNW COOP site.
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2020
During the afternoon and evening hours, isolated to scattered thunderstorms moved through central Indiana causing widespread tree damage to portions of Carroll county. More isolated damage occurred across other portions of central Indiana. Storms remained nearly stationary in west central Indiana where over 4 inches of rain fell. Flash flooding occurred in Sullivan county which led to US 41 ...
Flash Flood — May 29, 2019
Showers and thunderstorms pushed across the southern third of the state of Indiana during the late morning into the afternoon of May the 29th. These storms produced damaging thunderstorms wind gusts in the late morning and flash flooding in the afternoon after a couple rounds of rainfall.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Sullivan 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 Sullivan 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.