Natural Disasters in Bluffton, IN
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
22.8
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
33.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
17.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
85.8
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Tornado | 59.1 |
| Strong Wind | 50.8 |
| Earthquake | 49.8 |
| Heat Wave | 47.8 |
| Drought | 39.7 |
| Hail | 33.7 |
| Hurricane | 26.5 |
| Cold Wave | 25.1 |
| Landslide | 21.8 |
| Ice Storm | 19.7 |
| Lightning | 19.1 |
| Winter Weather | 12.0 |
| Wildfire | 5.0 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
15
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Snowstorm
4 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 12, 2007 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jan 21, 2005 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jun 3, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jul 11, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jan 24, 2001 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Jan 15, 1999 | Snowstorm | IN-WINTER STORM 12/23/98 |
| Mar 29, 1991 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE ICE STORM |
| Jan 5, 1991 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Feb 2, 1977 | Snowstorm | SNOWSTORMS |
| Apr 4, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
| Apr 14, 1965 | Tornado | TORNADOES & SEVERE STORMS |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
344
Total IA Distributed
$754,386
Repair/Replace
$383,444
Rental Assistance
$59,118
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1520 | 1 | N/A | $691 |
| DR-1476 | 288 | $532,311 | $2,465 |
| DR-4515 | 34 | $208,282 | — |
| DR-1573 | 21 | $13,793 | $799 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
42
Total Claims Paid
$756,720
Avg Claim Payout
$18,017
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$520,189
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
48
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1476 | Severe Storm(s) | 22 | $331,004 |
| DR-1573 | Severe Storm(s) | 9 | $78,579 |
| DR-3274 | Snow | 4 | $42,795 |
| DR-3135 | Snow | 7 | $41,484 |
| DR-3162 | Snow | 5 | $21,180 |
| DR-4515 | Biological | 1 | $5,147 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
7
Federal Funding
$1,557,310
Properties Protected
33
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.77
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 3 | $251,725 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 2 | $860,597 |
| 91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $254,345 |
| 200.3: Acquisition of Public Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine; 200.5: Acquisition of Vacant Land | 1 | $190,643 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Bluffton has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are tornado, strong wind, earthquake. The area has had 15 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is snowstorm (4 declarations). 42 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $520,189 in public assistance recovery funding. $754,386 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 7 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.