Photo: Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, South Bend faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Bend gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (39%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1990.
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.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
Tsunamis
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
Earthquakes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Bend, and South Bend’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Bend’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across South Bend: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Bend flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Bend, from FEMA’s records: 34.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver2 claims · $89K
- The Winter storm2 claims · $28K
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: Pacific County.8 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.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$46K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$95K to the City of South Bend for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$1K to the City of South Bend for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides136 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$185K to the City of South Bend for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$129K to the City of South Bend for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$9K to the City of South Bend for repairs
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides$436K to the City of South Bend for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$9K to the City of South Bend for repairs
Pacific County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | 28 |
| Raymond | D−more damage than 96% | 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (39%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in South Bend since 1990, $673K in all, or 34.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (2).
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 Pacific County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% 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, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): $436K to the City of South Bend for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 2 paid, $89K.
Is South Bend at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and South Bend’s rate for it is in the top 6% 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.