Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Valparaiso than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valparaiso gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #33 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 42 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 Valparaiso’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valparaiso, and Valparaiso’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 22% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A #33 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Valparaiso’s residents live in 13 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, Valparaiso has less expected damage per building than 95% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.8M a year in losses across Valparaiso: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valparaiso flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valparaiso, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $53K
Valparaiso 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Valparaiso
Disasters that paid out in Valparaiso itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Valparaiso), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,239 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding361 households applied for aid$584K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$32K to the City of Valparaiso for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$51K to the City of Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valparaiso archive →Get ready for what Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso
Is Valparaiso at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valparaiso has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #33 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Valparaiso flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Valparaiso since 1981, $359K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Valparaiso’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 Valparaiso?
By FEMA money that reached Valparaiso, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 1,239 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $53K.
Is Valparaiso at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Valparaiso’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valparaiso.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valparaiso’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.