Natural Disasters in South Bend, IN

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

85.8

Relatively Moderate

Expected Annual Loss

86.3

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

37.2

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

90.0

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

Public Assistance

$67.2M

Individual Assistance

$3.1M

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

5 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $67.2M

Disaster	Type	Date	PA $	IA $
Severe Winter Storm →	Winter Storm	Jan 2026	—	—
Covid-19 Pandemic →	Biological	Apr 2020	$66.4M	$2.6M
Covid-19 →	Biological	Mar 2020	—	—
Severe Storms and Flooding →	Flood	May 2018	$260K	$388K
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding →	Severe Storm	Apr 2009	—	$70K
Severe Storms and Flooding →	Severe Storm	Sep 2008	—	$48K
Severe Storms and Flooding →	Severe Storm	Jan 2008	—	$36K
Snow →	Snowstorm	Mar 2007	$46K	—
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation →	Hurricane	Sep 2005	—	—
Severe Winter Storms and Flooding →	Severe Storm	Jan 2005	—	$7K
Snow →	Snowstorm	Jan 2001	$284K	—
In-winter Storm 12/23/98 →	Snowstorm	Jan 1999	$207K	—
Severe Winter Storm →	Severe Storm	May 1998	—	—
Severe Storms & Flooding →	Flood	Jan 1991	—	—
Snowstorms →	Snowstorm	Feb 1977	—	—
Tornadoes & Severe Storms →	Tornado	Apr 1965	—	—
Hurricane Zeta →	Unknown	—	—	—
Hurricane Harvey →	Unknown	—	—	—
Covid-19 Pandemic →	Unknown	—	—	—

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

180

Total Claims Paid

$1,340,857

Avg Claim Payout

$7,449

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

Federal Funding

$2,419,599

Properties Protected

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

2.38

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project Type	Projects	Federal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine	2	$2,419,599
100.1: Public Awareness and Education (Brochures, Workshops, Videos, etc.)	1	$0

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

South Bend has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are cold wave, hail, strong wind. The area has had 16 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (5 declarations). 180 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $67,199,646 in public assistance recovery funding. $3,110,982 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 3 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.