Enter any address in DeKalb County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
DeKalb County, Indiana has recorded 8 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 4 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1982–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 8, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 7, 2008 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 12, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 1, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 25, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2010 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2008 | 150.00K |
| Flood | Sep 11, 2000 | 250K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 1997 | 25K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 1996 | 30K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 1996 | — |
Flood — Jul 19, 2025
An Mesoscale Convective Vortex moved through the US 30 corridor resulting in flooding rain on its northern edge. The Northern Indiana NWS office recorded 0.72 of rain in just under 15 minutes. Rain totals of 3 to nearly 5 inches was common in La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, De Kalb, and Noble Counties.
Flood — Jun 27, 2015
An unseasonably strong area of low pressure moved through the Ohio Valley on June 26-27 which brought moderate to heavy rain to the area. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain fell in a 24 hour period.
Flash Flood — May 21, 2010
A upper level impulse, abundant moisture and a south-southwesterly flow combined to allow for the development of thunderstorms. While several produced small hail and locally gusty winds, the main effect was torrential rainfall, on the order of 1 to 3 inches per hour. This resulted in flash flooding in several locations across western Defiance county.
Flood — Jan 8, 2008
An unseasonable moist atmosphere and slow moving cold front set the stage for the training of rain and thunderstorms across much of northern Indiana. In addition, a dense snowpack rapidly melted as a result of the warm temperatures and rainfall, resulting in rapid rises on river and streams as well as widespread problems with flooding of low areas and ditches. Rainfall amounts ranging from a co...
Flash Flood — Aug 16, 1997
Three to four plus inches of rain across county caused widespreadroad flooding with cars abandoned.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in DeKalb County, Indiana:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in DeKalb County, Indiana that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.