Natural Disasters in Elkhart, IN
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
83.7
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
83.4
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
45.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
61.1
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Strong Wind | 95.6 |
| Cold Wave | 94.6 |
| Hail | 93.6 |
| Tornado | 90.6 |
| Winter Weather | 80.1 |
| Earthquake | 77.2 |
| Heat Wave | 72.9 |
| Lightning | 66.3 |
| Ice Storm | 61.7 |
| Drought | 47.1 |
| Hurricane | 47.1 |
| Landslide | 45.7 |
| Wildfire | 32.9 |
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
13
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 |
| May 4, 2018 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 30, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 12, 2007 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jan 21, 2005 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 24, 2001 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Jan 15, 1999 | Snowstorm | IN-WINTER STORM 12/23/98 |
| Jan 5, 1991 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Feb 2, 1977 | Snowstorm | SNOWSTORMS |
| Apr 14, 1965 | Tornado | TORNADOES & SEVERE STORMS |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
1,232
Total IA Distributed
$3,027,897
Repair/Replace
$866,386
Rental Assistance
$226,287
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4534 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4515 | 328 | $1,813,465 | — |
| DR-4363 | 673 | $1,025,138 | $2,278 |
| DR-1740 | 202 | $150,177 | $1,120 |
| DR-4494 | 8 | $20,434 | — |
| DR-1573 | 9 | $7,527 | $529 |
| DR-1527 | 4 | $6,166 | $2,981 |
| DR-1795 | 4 | $3,280 | $820 |
| DR-1832 | 3 | $1,710 | $855 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
377
Total Claims Paid
$3,798,667
Avg Claim Payout
$10,076
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$5,299,812
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
121
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4515 | Biological | 18 | $3,509,527 |
| DR-1740 | Severe Storm(s) | 38 | $656,419 |
| DR-4363 | Flood | 36 | $651,501 |
| DR-3274 | Snow | 9 | $190,910 |
| DR-3162 | Snow | 11 | $176,399 |
| DR-3135 | Snow | 9 | $115,057 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
1
Federal Funding
$137,656
Properties Protected
4
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 1 | $137,656 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Elkhart has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, cold wave, hail. The area has had 13 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is snowstorm (4 declarations). 377 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $5,299,812 in public assistance recovery funding. $3,027,897 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 1 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.