Photo: Andrew Latham · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Winona Lake’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winona Lake gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #95 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1993.
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 Winona Lake 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
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 Winona Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winona Lake, and Winona Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #95 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winona Lake’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, Winona Lake has less expected damage per building than 84% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Winona Lake: $725K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winona Lake flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winona Lake, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Winona Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kosciusko County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winona Lake
Disasters that paid out in Winona Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Winona Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$48K to the Town of Winona Lake for repairs
- 2007Snow$6K to the Town of Winona Lake for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$16K to the Town of Winona Lake for repairs
- 2000Snow$2K to the Town of Winona Lake for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$4K to the Town of Winona Lake for repairs
Kosciusko County has had 15 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 Winona Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winona Lake archive →Winona Lake and its neighbors
Winona Lake is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Winona Lake | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Winona Lake 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.
- 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 Winona Lake
Is Winona Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winona Lake has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #95 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winona Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Winona Lake since 1993, $78K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Winona Lake 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 Kosciusko County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winona Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winona Lake’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 Winona Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Winona Lake, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 8 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $48K to the Town of Winona Lake for repairs.
Is Winona Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Winona Lake’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winona Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winona Lake’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.