Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 21
Indiana Flood Coverage Falls Below 0.48% After 7 Deaths as Hurricane Season Nears
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 21

Indiana Flood Coverage Falls Below 0.48% After 7 Deaths as Hurricane Season Nears

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 21

Summary

  • Fewer than 0.48% of Indiana homes — about 1 in 200 — carried flood insurance after August storms swamped neighborhoods and killed seven people.
  • The gap matters because standard U.S. homeowners policies do not cover flood damage; separate coverage is sold through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers.
  • Indiana had 13,466 federal flood policies in mid-July, down from about 26,000 in 2015, even though coverage is required only for high-risk homes with federally backed mortgages.
  • Midwest flooding underscored that inland areas face major exposure ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season’s peak, with average U.S. flood claims near $83,000 from 2020 to 2024.

Insights

Why are thousands dropping flood insurance just as inland storms become more deadly and unpredictable?
Could a single inch of unexpected floodwater bankrupt you due to a hidden gap in your homeowners policy?
If official maps miss two-thirds of river channels, is your home secretly in danger of catastrophic flooding?