Know Your Flood Hazard

Know Your Flood Hazard

Vigo County includes the City of Terre Haute, the Towns of Riley, Seelyville and West Terre Haute, and the unincorporated areas of Vigo County. Major flooding occurs along the Wabash River and its tributaries. During the winter and spring, storms of moderate intensity and long duration, coupled with frozen ground, cause flooding. During the summer, thunderstorms which have high intensities and relatively short durations can cause floods (FIS).

Flood hazard areas identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map are identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA are defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood. The most common flood zones in Vigo County are A, AE, and AO. There are also areas of Floodway.

Your property may be subject to flooding. Whether you are thinking about buying or building a home, knowing the flood risk zone can protect you from unplanned expense. You can call the Vigo County Area Planning office at 812-462-3354 or Visit the Area Planning Department for details specific to your property information such as you current flood zone and local floodplains. There is no fee for this service. You can also check the FEMA Flood Maps for information on whether your property is in a flood zone.