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Risk: Relatively Low

LaPorte County, IN Environment & Hazard Risk

Relatively Low natural hazard risk, led by cold wave. 381 storm events since 1996.

Expected yearly loss
$37.64M
Relatively Low nationally
Storm events since 1996
381
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
140
0.3% of homes
Hurricanes nearby
0
1 tropical storm or stronger since 1941

Natural hazard risk

FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025

Overall risk

Relatively Low

Score 78.9 of 100

Social vulnerability

Relatively Moderate

Score 48.7 of 100

Community resilience

Very High

Score 82.6 of 100

Community resilience runs the other way: a higher rating means a community can recover faster.

Building value exposed: $27.45B · Agriculture value exposed: $214M · Risk-adjusted yearly loss: $41.66M

Risk by hazard

  • Cold waveRelatively High$10.02M/yr expected annual loss, about 3.5 events a year
  • TornadoRelatively High$8.44M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
  • HailRelatively Moderate$1.03M/yr expected annual loss, about 3.0 events a year
  • Winter weatherRelatively Moderate$172K/yr expected annual loss, about 18 events a year
  • Strong windRelatively Moderate$947K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.0 events a year
  • EarthquakeRelatively Low$745K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 802 years
  • Heat waveRelatively Low$768K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.0 events a year
  • LightningRelatively Moderate$425K/yr expected annual loss, about 42 events a year
  • LandslideVery Low$1,992/yr expected annual loss, about once every 8 years
  • Ice stormRelatively Low$68.62K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.2 events a year
  • WildfireVery Low$18.42K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6,917 years
  • Coastal floodingVery Low$3,701/yr expected annual loss, about once every 71 years
  • HurricaneVery Low$10.55K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 101 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, drought, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Flood risk and insurance

National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA flood maps

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance
140 of 45,669 (0.3%)
Homes in high-risk flood zones
530
Insured in high-risk zones
104 (20%)
Flood claims since 1978
143
Claims paid since 1978
$817K

Flood claims paid per year

Flood claims paid per year in LaPorte County
  • Hurricane Ike$92.52K · 10 claims
  • Flooding$76.97K · 10 claims
  • Mid-spring storms$0 · 1 claim

Storm history

Since 1996: 381 events, 2 deaths, $6.65M in damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind235 · 1 death
  • Hail73
  • Winter Weather17
  • Tornado16 · 1 death
  • Flash Flood7
  • Winter Storm7
  • Lake-Effect Snow6
  • Lightning6
  • Extreme Cold/Wind Chill4
  • Flood4

Events per year

Storm events per year in LaPorte County
14
11
5
14
17
14
15
17
9
12
3
6
8
7
6
16
16
36
24
21

30 tornadoes on record (EF0 3, EF1 7, EF3 1, F0 7, F1 5, F2 5, F3 2).

Most damaging storms

Since 1996, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage

  • TornadoF2, 33 mi path, 1,760 yd wide10/24/2001

    Wanatah, La Porte County

    1 death, $750K damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind65 kt wind08/05/2008

    Michigan City Arpt, La Porte County

    1 death, $25K damage

    What happened

    Broadcast media sources reported that a 23 year old man was nearly home when the severe storms caused a tree to be blown over into his vehicle, killing him. The residence was located in the 6200 block of North County Road 400 West near the town of Springville.

  • Lightning09/30/2006

    Westville, La Porte County

    7 injured

    What happened

    A 15 year old boy and his grandfather were setting up a tent at the annual Pumpkin festival when lightning struck near the tent and travelled through the ground affect both of them. The boy was transported to the hospital with severe leg pain, but was alert. The boy's grandfather as well as 5 bystandards were affected by the lightning, treated at the scene and released.

  • Rip Current07/20/2025

    Northern La Porte County

    2 injured

    What happened

    Two people were rescued by lifeguards from a rip current at Washington Park Beach. Incident was captured on the Access LaPorte County Beach webcam.

  • Thunderstorm Wind87 kt wind08/24/2006

    Michigan City, La Porte County

    $1.5M damage

    What happened

    A supercell came onshore from Lake Michigan at Michigan City with winds initially above 100 mph. Wind gusts to 75 mph were reported several miles inland as the storm continued south through Westville and Wanatah. Widespread tree, power poles and lines damage was observed from the lake shore to Westville. One minor injury was reported from a cleanup worker in Westville. 2 vehicles were destroyed as a result of falling trees. A police car in Westville suffered damage from a tree falling onto it. 2 miles north of Westville a semi was blown off the Indiana Toll Road with a train suffering damage as a result of the winds. Several buildings suffered roof damage, including several factories, homes and a prison. Damage figures are not complete, but initial estimates of damage on the land are at least $1.5 million.

  • TornadoEF1, 0.31 mi path, 450 yd wide04/26/2007

    Springville, La Porte County

    1 injured, $40K damage

    What happened

    A patrol car was picked up and thrown over a fence approximately 150 feet. The officer seen the tornado, attemped to get out of the car, but winds prevented her from exiting. She suffered cuts and brusies, but no serious injuries. In addition, numerous trees were uprooted or snapped off along the path. 2 homes suffered damage in the area as well.

Latest storm reports

Newest first

  • Thunderstorm Wind59 kt wind07/27/2026

    Westville, La Porte County

    $1,000 damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind59 kt wind07/27/2026

    Wanatah, La Porte County

    $1,000 damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind59 kt wind07/27/2026

    La Porte, La Porte County

    $10K damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind07/03/2026

    Trail Creek, La Porte County

    $10K damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind07/03/2026

    Springville, La Porte County

    $1,000 damage

  • TornadoEF3, 1.81 mi path, 450 yd wide06/12/2026

    South Wanatah, La Porte County

  • Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind05/18/2026

    La Porte, La Porte County

    $10K damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind05/18/2026

    Magee, La Porte County

    $1,000 damage

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Storms whose track crossed LaPorte County, with the wind when it passed

Drinking water

23 community water systems serve about 71,180 people. Violations since 2021.

11 systems had health-based violations, such as a contaminant over the legal limit or a missed treatment step. 10 systems had a violation of any kind still open at last report.

Largest systems by population served. Monitoring and reporting violations mean required tests or notices were late or missing, not that the water was unsafe.

Climate

1991-2020 normals at Laporte, 7.4 mi from the county center

Summer highs peak around 82°F in Jul and winter lows bottom out near 17°F in Jan. About 42.5 inches of rain falls in a typical year, with 65.2 inches of snow.

MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan31°F17°F3.01 in23.0 in
Feb35°F20°F2.52 in16.0 in
Mar46°F29°F2.70 in7.1 in
Apr59°F39°F3.77 in1.1 in
May70°F50°F4.33 in-
Jun79°F60°F4.38 in-
Jul82°F64°F4.04 in-
Aug80°F63°F4.22 in-
Sep74°F55°F3.38 in-
Oct62°F44°F4.11 in0.2 in
Nov48°F33°F3.24 in4.0 in
Dec36°F24°F2.85 in13.8 in
Year50°F average42.5 in65.2 in

Pollution sites

3 Superfund sites and 21 toxic release facilities in LaPorte County

Superfund sites

Toxic release facilities

Total: 443,745 lbs in 2024, 98,258 lbs to air.

Superfund sitesToxic release facilitiesEPA inspections and enforcementAir toxics cancer risk18 historic places

Frequently asked questions

How risky is LaPorte County for natural disasters?
FEMA rates LaPorte County relatively low for overall natural hazard risk, with expected losses of $37.64M a year. The highest-rated hazards are cold wave (relatively high), tornado (relatively high), hail (relatively moderate).
What storms are most common in LaPorte County?
Since 1996, NOAA recorded 381 storm events affecting LaPorte County, most often thunderstorm wind (235), hail (73), winter weather (17).
How many tornadoes have hit LaPorte County?
30 tornadoes have been recorded in LaPorte County since 1950, including 3 rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
How many homes in LaPorte County have flood insurance?
140 residential flood insurance policies are in force in LaPorte County, covering about 0.3% of homes. The program has paid $817K on 143 claims here since 1978.
What is the weather like in LaPorte County?
At Laporte, average highs reach 82°F in Jul and lows fall to 17°F in Jan, with 42.5 inches of rain a year (1991-2020 normals).

Source: FEMA (National Risk Index, NFIP), NOAA (Storm Events, HURDAT2, Climate Normals), EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch the county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.