Photo: Public domain · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Kendallville than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kendallville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #71 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
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 Kendallville 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Kendallville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kendallville, and Kendallville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #71 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kendallville’s residents live in 3 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, Kendallville has less expected damage per building than 88% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Kendallville: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kendallville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kendallville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kendallville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Noble County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kendallville
Disasters that paid out in Kendallville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kendallville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the City of Kendallville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2007Snow$15K to the City of Kendallville for repairs
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Kendallville for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$12K to the City of Kendallville for repairs
Noble County has had 13 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 Kendallville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kendallville archive →Get ready for what Kendallville 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Kendallville
Is Kendallville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kendallville has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #71 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kendallville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Kendallville since 2009, $31K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kendallville 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 Noble County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kendallville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kendallville’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 Kendallville?
By FEMA money that reached Kendallville, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2014): $16K to the City of Kendallville for repairs.
Is Kendallville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Kendallville’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kendallville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kendallville’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.