Natural Disasters in Salem, IN
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
40.9
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
44.9
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
37.5
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
36.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Tornado | 77.3 |
| Strong Wind | 71.7 |
| Earthquake | 67.8 |
| Winter Weather | 62.8 |
| Drought | 55.9 |
| Heat Wave | 44.7 |
| Cold Wave | 42.4 |
| Ice Storm | 38.1 |
| Lightning | 36.3 |
| Landslide | 32.7 |
| Hurricane | 20.9 |
| Hail | 15.9 |
| Wildfire | 10.8 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
19
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
10 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jul 22, 2025 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 9, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Jun 23, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND |
| Mar 5, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 23, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jun 8, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jan 21, 2005 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 11, 2005 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Jun 3, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jun 13, 2002 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING |
| Jul 3, 1996 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Apr 2, 1996 | Flood | BLIZZARD OF 96 |
| Aug 17, 1992 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLASH FLOODING |
| Jun 4, 1990 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING |
| Apr 4, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
58
Total Claims Paid
$2,744,590
Avg Claim Payout
$47,321
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$1,207,987
Disasters with PA
10
Total Projects
64
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1795 | Severe Storm(s) | 13 | $340,673 |
| DR-1520 | Severe Storm(s) | 13 | $191,821 |
| DR-4058 | Severe Storm(s) | 6 | $154,280 |
| DR-3197 | Snow | 3 | $131,952 |
| DR-1997 | Severe Storm(s) | 9 | $90,304 |
| DR-4882 | Severe Storm(s) | 8 | $90,208 |
| DR-1828 | Severe Storm(s) | 2 | $64,906 |
| DR-1418 | Severe Storm(s) | 7 | $63,412 |
| DR-1766 | Severe Storm(s) | 2 | $56,928 |
| DR-4515 | Biological | 1 | $23,503 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
5
Federal Funding
$9,771,268
Properties Protected
30
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
2.01
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 3 | $9,043,475 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 1 | $682,906 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $44,887 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Salem has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are tornado, strong wind, earthquake. The area has had 19 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (10 declarations). 58 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,207,987 in public assistance recovery funding. 5 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.