Photo: MrHarman · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in La Porte than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Porte gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #91 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 La Porte 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
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 La Porte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Porte, and La Porte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #91 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Porte’s residents live in 8 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, La Porte has less expected damage per building than 85% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across La Porte: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Porte flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Porte, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
La Porte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: LaPorte County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Porte
Disasters that paid out in La Porte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Porte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding478 households applied for aid$735K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding95 households applied for aid$191K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding438 households applied for aid$545K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2007Snow$13K to the City of La Porte for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$16K to the City of La Porte for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$22K to the City of La Porte for repairs
LaPorte County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of La Porte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Porte archive →Get ready for what La Porte 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.
- 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 La Porte
Is La Porte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Porte has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #91 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Porte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in La Porte since 1983, $133K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is La Porte 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 LaPorte County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Porte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Porte’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 La Porte?
By FEMA money that reached La Porte, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 478 households applied for aid, $735K approved.
Is La Porte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and La Porte’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Porte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Porte’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.