Photo: Scott Palmer · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts South Bend’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Bend gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #27 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 49 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 stands out about South Bend’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Bend 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 South Bend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Bend, and South Bend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #27 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Bend’s residents live in 48 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, South Bend has less expected damage per building than 96% of Indiana towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, South Bend has lower expected damage per building than 98% (#10 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $21.2M, is the 382th largest of those 400.
Does South Bend flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Bend, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $8K
South Bend 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Bend
Disasters that paid out in South Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding283 households applied for aid$284K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding32 households applied for aid$66K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Snow$78K to the City of South Bend for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$107K to the City of South Bend for repairs
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 South Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Bend archive →South Bend and its neighbors
South Bend is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ardmore | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gilmer Park | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Portage Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| South Bend | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Mishawaka | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Penn Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
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 South Bend 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 South Bend
Is South Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Bend has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #27 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in South Bend since 1981, $580K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is South Bend 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 South Bend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Bend’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 South Bend?
By FEMA money that reached South Bend, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 283 households applied for aid, $284K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $8K.
Is South Bend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and South Bend’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Bend’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.