Kokomo High School and Memorial Gymnasium · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Kokomo than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kokomo gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #137 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 295 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 stands out about Kokomo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kokomo 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
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Kokomo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kokomo, and Kokomo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 20% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #137 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kokomo’s residents live in 18 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, Kokomo has less expected damage per building than 77% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.5M a year in losses across Kokomo: $10.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kokomo flood? Yes: 295 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kokomo, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kokomo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Howard County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kokomo
Disasters that paid out in Kokomo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kokomo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes74 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding178 households applied for aid$229K aid approved22 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,063 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$27K to the City of Kokomo for repairs64 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$29K to the City of Kokomo for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$49K to the City of Kokomo for repairs36 flood claims paid that year
Howard 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 Kokomo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kokomo archive →Kokomo and its neighbors
Kokomo is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 288 |
| Clay Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Kokomo | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 295 |
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 Kokomo 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kokomo residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kokomo
Is Kokomo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kokomo has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #137 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kokomo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 295 claims in Kokomo since 1980, $6.2M in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 58 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Kokomo 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 Howard County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kokomo?
Kokomo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kokomo?
By FEMA money that reached Kokomo, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 2,063 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved, and $27K to the City of Kokomo for repairs.
Is Kokomo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Kokomo’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kokomo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kokomo’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.