Photo: GKChest · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Chesterton than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #191 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1980.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Chesterton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Chesterton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chesterton, and Chesterton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #191 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chesterton’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Chesterton has less expected damage per building than 68% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Chesterton: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chesterton flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chesterton, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $106K
Chesterton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Porter County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chesterton
Disasters that paid out in Chesterton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chesterton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding765 households applied for aid$990K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$991 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding148 households applied for aid$292K aid approved$375K to the Town of Chesterton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Snow$17K to the Town of Chesterton for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$15K to the Town of Chesterton for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$16K to the Town of Chesterton for repairs
Porter County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Chesterton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chesterton archive →Chesterton and its neighbors
Chesterton is 4th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burns Harbor | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Porter | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Westchester Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Chesterton | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Portage | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Liberty Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Chesterton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Chesterton
Is Chesterton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterton has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #191 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chesterton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Chesterton since 1980, $221K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Chesterton in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Porter County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chesterton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chesterton’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Chesterton?
By FEMA money that reached Chesterton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 765 households applied for aid, $990K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $106K.
Is Chesterton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Chesterton’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chesterton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chesterton’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.