FEMA puts Long Beach’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Long Beach gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1981.
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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Long Beach, and Long Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Long Beach’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $608K a year in losses across Long Beach: $434K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Long Beach flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Long Beach, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Long Beach 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Long Beach
Disasters that paid out in Long Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Long Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2000Snow$3K to the Town of Long Beach for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$3K to the Town of Long Beach 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 Long Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Long Beach archive →Long Beach and its neighbors
Long Beach is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan City | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Long Beach | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Duneland Beach | — | 139 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach
Is Long Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Long Beach has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Long Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Long Beach since 1981, $47K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Long Beach 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 Long Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Long Beach’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 Long Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Long Beach, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2009): 6 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Long Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Long Beach’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Long Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Long Beach’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.