Enter any address in Elkhart County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Elkhart County. Recent events include widespread flooding from 3 to nearly 5 inches of rain in July 2025, and flooding reported in June 2021 following several days of heavy precipitation.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $14,020 and an average water depth of 1.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen claims with a higher average water depth of 4.8 feet, though with fewer claims and a lower average payout.
Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Elkhart County, Indiana has recorded 19 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 13 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 (1965–2026)
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 And Flooding | Flood | Feb 14, 2018 |
| 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 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Winter Storm 12/23/98 | Snowstorm | Jan 1, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 20, 2018 | 1.20M |
| Flood | Jun 11, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2008 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 6, 2008 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2006 | 1.5M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2005 | 10K |
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 — Jul 29, 2023
Storms developed along a stalled frontal boundary on the evening of July 28th. These storms developed in clusters and were slow moving with heavy rain. They also produced sporadic wind damage across northwest Indiana. An EF0 tornado also occurred in Cass County.
Flood — Jun 26, 2021
Several rounds of heavy rain in the days leading up to the severe weather on 26th. Some areas experienced flooding. Two lines of strong storms then swept through the northern and western portions of the CWA from 3p-9p. Several storms in the first line exhibited rotation. A few funnel clouds were reported but no confirmed tornadoes. The second line had mainly straight-line winds.
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2019
Weak, low amplitude southwest flow short wave kicked out of Missouri during the day. A 50 knot southwesterly low level jet developed Friday evening and resulted in continued warm/moist advection in pre-frontal environment. Upper level jet dynamics also became more favorable by Friday evening in broad right entrance region of upper level jet. PWATs again with this event were highly anomalous f...
Flood — Feb 20, 2018
A slow release of a snow pack, containing one to over two inches of water, occurred in the days leading to the event which started the process of river rises in many areas. Low pressure tracked from northwest Iowa into northern Lower Michigan, which ushered in a rapid warmup and equally rapid release of any remaining water in the snow-pack. Several rounds of rain occurred between the 19th and 2...
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 Elkhart 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 Elkhart 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.