Photo: Public domain · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Notre Dame, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Notre Dame gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Notre Dame 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
Earthquakes
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 Notre Dame’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Notre Dame, and Notre Dame’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 593 in Indiana; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Notre Dame’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Notre Dame has less expected damage per building than 100% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Notre Dame: $640K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Notre Dame flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Notre Dame, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Notre Dame isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Joseph County.The storms Notre Dame remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for St. Joseph County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Notre Dame itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20181 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County has had 14 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 Notre Dame after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Notre Dame archive →Notre Dame and its neighbors
Notre Dame has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clay Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Portage Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| South Bend | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 Notre Dame 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Notre Dame
Is Notre Dame at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Notre Dame has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Notre Dame flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Notre Dame since 2018, $22K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Notre Dame 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 St. Joseph County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Notre Dame?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Notre Dame’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Notre Dame at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Notre Dame’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Notre Dame.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Notre Dame’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.