Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Porter faces less hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Porter gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #148 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1987.
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 Porter 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 Porter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Porter, and Porter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #148 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Porter’s residents live in 3 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, Porter has less expected damage per building than 75% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Porter: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Porter flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Porter, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Porter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Porter County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Porter
Disasters that paid out in Porter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Porter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding77 households applied for aid$118K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$6K to the Town of Porter for repairs
Porter 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 Porter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Porter archive →Porter and its neighbors
Porter is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burns Harbor | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Porter | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Chesterton | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Dune Acres | — | 293 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 Porter 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 Porter
Is Porter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Porter has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #148 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Porter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Porter since 1987, $26K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Porter 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 Porter County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Porter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Porter’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 Porter?
By FEMA money that reached Porter, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 77 households applied for aid, $118K approved.
Is Porter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Porter’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Porter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Porter’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.