Water Damage Restoration in Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis by the numbers: 48 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 120 freezing nights a year, 5 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Indiana insurance help and costs.
Updated October 31, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Indianapolis
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Indianapolis Flood Record
NOAA has 108 flood and flash flood reports for the 11 counties of the Indianapolis metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 48 separate days; June had the most.
At the Indianapolis Zoo gauge, June is the wettest month with 5 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 3.3 |
| February | 1 | 2.2 |
| March | 3 | 3.4 |
| April | 6 | 3.8 |
| May | 2 | 4.4 |
| June | 13 | 5 |
| July | 10 | 4.2 |
| August | 6 | 2.6 |
| September | 3 | 3.1 |
| October | 2 | 3.1 |
| November | 2 | 3.4 |
| December | 0 | 2.9 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Marion County | 20 | 33 |
| Hamilton County | 13 | 17 |
| Hendricks County | 8 | 8 |
| Morgan County | 7 | 10 |
| Boone County | 6 | 8 |
| Brown County | 6 | 8 |
| Hancock County | 5 | 5 |
| Madison County | 5 | 5 |
| Shelby County | 5 | 8 |
| Johnson County | 3 | 5 |
Freezing Nights in Indianapolis
Indianapolis averages 120 nights a year at or below 32°F (Indianapolis SE Side station). About 45 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 26 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 11 counties of the Indianapolis metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Indianapolis
The 11 counties of the Indianapolis metro area were named in 5 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- July 27, 2026: Flash flood (Marion County)Vehicles were stranded in high water due to heavy rainfall from thunderstorms which dropped 1.2 to 2 inches of rainfall in about 30 minutes.
- April 2, 2025: Flash flood (Brown County)One road was washed out with numerous other road closures. Roads remained closed for several days but the flash flooding threat only lasted a few hours.
- March 31, 2023: Tornado, EF3 (Johnson County)The rotating supercell's fifth and final tornado was a violent EF3 that immediately followed the Johnson County EF0.
- May 21, 2022: Thunderstorm wind, 90 mph gust (Brown County)Widespread thunderstorm straight-line winds of 80 to 90 mph created significant uprooted and broken trees within a wide area as well along the damage path of a nearby brief, EF0 tornado.
- June 18, 2021: Hail, 3.4 inch hail (Hancock County)Photograph of 3.4 inch hailstone with tape measure next to the stone.
Federal disaster declarations
- August 25, 2026: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4933
- August 15, 2026: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingFlood, FEMA EM-3651
- January 24, 2026: Severe Winter StormWinter Storm, FEMA EM-3641
- July 22, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4882
- April 15, 2023: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And TornadoesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4704
Indianapolis Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Indianapolis (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 401,428 housing units, a median build year of 1973, 59% built before 1980, 47% before 1970, 56% owner occupied.
Indiana Insurance Help for Water Claims
Claim problems in Indiana go to the Indiana Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Indianapolis flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Indianapolis
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Indianapolis
The same 24/7 line covers the Indianapolis metro area, including:
- Indianapolis
- Fishers
- Carmel
- Noblesville
- Greenwood
- Westfield
- Anderson
- Lawrence
- Plainfield
- Brownsburg
- Zionsville
- Greenfield
Other Indiana city guides
Questions
When is the first freeze in Indianapolis?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 21 and the median last is April 20 at the Indianapolis SE Side station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, EPA mold guide.