Enter any address in Porter County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood events, including flash flooding, are the most frequent types of severe weather in Porter County, IN, with 55 such events recorded over the last 30 years. Heavy rainfall has been a recurring cause, as seen in December 2025 when storms dropped nearly 4 inches of rain in some areas, leading to widespread flooding. Localized flooding from scattered thunderstorms also occurred in July 2025.
While 72 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims have been filed in Zone A, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have also experienced significant claims, averaging over $11,800. Residents in areas prone to heavy rainfall and those in lower-lying zones should be particularly aware of their 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.
Porter County, Indiana has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 30 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 (1990–2026)
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 | Sep 12, 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 | Jul 4, 2003 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 7, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Mar 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 28, 2025
Periods of heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms produced flooding across parts of far northwest Indiana on December 28th. Storm total rainfall amounts included 3.98 inches three miles east of Portage; 3.51 inches in St. John; 3.33 inches one mile east of Schererville; 2.95 inches one mile south of Merrillville; 2.74 inches in Porter and 2.35 inches two miles north northwest of Portage.
Flood — Jul 26, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms moved across portions of northwest Indiana during the morning and afternoon of July 26th producing localized flooding.
Flood — Jul 19, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms produced localized flooding in parts of northwest Indiana during the afternoon of July 19th.
Flood — Aug 25, 2021
Scattered thunderstorms moved across northwest Indiana on August 25th producing heavy rain and localized flooding.
Flash Flood — May 9, 2021
Heavy rain fell across northwest Indiana on May 8th into the morning of May 9th producing localized flooding. Rainfall amounts included 2.58 inches one mile southwest of De Motte; 2.43 inches two miles northwest of Valparaiso; 2.11 inches four miles northeast of Hebron and 2.10 inches six miles south southwest of Hebron.
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 Porter 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 Porter 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.