Enter any address in Whitley County, Indiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Whitley County. Recent events include flash flooding in the Tri Lakes area in May 2022, where 3 to nearly 5 inches of rain fell in a few hours, and widespread flooding in July 2022 following 3 to 7 inches of rain across Whitley and Allen Counties.
Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 10 flood events and 10 flash flood events in Whitley County. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,001 for an average water depth of 0.6 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone Unknown also have NFIP claims, with average payouts of $1,567 and $3,979 respectively, and average water depths of 1.2 feet and 1.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with a history of claims regardless of designated zone, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Whitley County, Indiana has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
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 Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 5, 2014 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2022 | 300.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2022 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Jul 5, 2022 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 19, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2010 | 100.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2023
Severe thunderstorms developed over far northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan and moved east. Discrete storms early produced very large hail and then congealed into a damaging wind gust threat toward eastern Indiana and northwest Ohio.
Flash Flood — May 27, 2022
A narrow area of slow moving, back building thunderstorms caused a swath of locally heavy rain from parts of Whitley county northeast into Steuben county. A small area in the Tri Lakes area of Whitley county received 3 to nearly 5 inches of rain in a few hours, resulting in flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 5, 2022
Thunderstorms developed in the afternoon and evening of July 5. Widespread wind damage occurred in an area from Steuben County through Allen County in Indiana.
Flood — Jul 5, 2022
Three to seven inches of rain fell in Whitley and Allen Counties, IN on the morning of July 5. There was some tree damage in the area as these thunderstorms moved through.
Flood — Jun 15, 2015
Several rounds of rainfall brought flooding to many counties during a couple day period. On average, three to five inches of rain fell, often in a few hours. This rainfall occurred over already saturated ground from recent rains over the past couple of weeks. This resulted in an extended period of runoff and flooding issues.
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 Whitley 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 Whitley 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.