Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Westchester Township than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westchester Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #165 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1980.
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 Westchester Township 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 Westchester Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westchester Township, and Westchester Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #165 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westchester Township’s residents live in 4 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, Westchester Township has less expected damage per building than 72% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Westchester Township: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westchester Township flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westchester Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $106K
Westchester Township 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.The storms Westchester Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Porter County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Westchester Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19813 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19902 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Porter County
- 19801 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Westchester Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westchester Township archive →Westchester Township and its neighbors
Westchester Township is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Burns Harbor | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pine Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westchester Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Portage Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Chesterton | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Portage | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Liberty Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Beverly Shores | — | 650 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 Westchester Township 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 Westchester Township
Is Westchester Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westchester Township has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #165 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westchester Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Westchester Township since 1980, $233K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Westchester Township 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 Westchester Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westchester Township’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 Westchester Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $106K.
Is Westchester Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Westchester Township’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westchester Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westchester Township’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.