Eli Sigler House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Hebron faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hebron gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #131 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
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 Hebron 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 Hebron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hebron, and Hebron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #131 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hebron’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hebron has less expected damage per building than 78% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Hebron: $558K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hebron flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hebron, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $38K
Hebron 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 Hebron
Disasters that paid out in Hebron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hebron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding53 households applied for aid$174K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$284K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Snow$6K to the Town of Hebron for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$590 aid approved
- 2000Snow$2K to the Town of Hebron for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$5K to the Town of Hebron 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 Hebron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hebron archive →Get ready for what Hebron 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 Hebron
Is Hebron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hebron has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #131 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hebron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Hebron since 1983, $86K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Hebron 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 Hebron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hebron’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 Hebron?
By FEMA money that reached Hebron, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 52 households applied for aid, $284K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $38K.
Is Hebron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Hebron’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hebron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hebron’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.