Elkhart, IN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Elkhart is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Elkhart County, IN. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, cold wave, and hail.
Storm events near Elkhart
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Elkhart's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Elkhart itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Elkhart County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Elkhart along with the rest of the county, not a Elkhart-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 32.9 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 84.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 77.2 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 72.9 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 90.6 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 47.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 93.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 47.1 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 61.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 45.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 66.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 95.6 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 80.1 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Elkhart County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Elkhart County:
More on Elkhart County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Elkhart, IN at risk of?
Elkhart is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Elkhart County, where Elkhart is located, are strong wind, cold wave, and hail.
What is Elkhart's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Elkhart County, where Elkhart is located, scoring 95.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Elkhart a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Elkhart carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Elkhart County.
Has Elkhart had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 20 tornado, 106 hail, 32 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Elkhart since 2016.