Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in New Haven than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Haven gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #265 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1979.
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 New Haven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Haven 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 New Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Haven, and New Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B #265 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Haven’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, New Haven has less expected damage per building than 55% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across New Haven: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Haven flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Haven, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New Haven isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allen County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Haven
Disasters that paid out in New Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes31 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the City of New Haven for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Snow$21K to the City of New Haven for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2000Snow$10K to the City of New Haven for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$16K to the City of New Haven for repairs
Allen 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 New Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Haven archive →New Haven and its neighbors
New Haven is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Adams Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| St. Joseph Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| New Haven | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Fort Wayne | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1,148 |
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 New Haven 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 New Haven
Is New Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Haven has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #265 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in New Haven since 1979, $57K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is New Haven 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 Allen County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Haven’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 New Haven?
By FEMA money that reached New Haven, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2014): $23K to the City of New Haven for repairs.
Is New Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and New Haven’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Haven’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.