South Bend, IN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
South Bend 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 St. Joseph County, IN. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, hail, and strong wind.
Storm events near South Bend
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of South Bend's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to South Bend 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 St. Joseph County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering South Bend along with the rest of the county, not a South Bend-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 22.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 85.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 78.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 79.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 90.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 12.9 | Very Low |
| Hail | 94.2 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 43.6 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 65.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 50.3 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 80.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 90.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 83.3 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full St. Joseph County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in St. Joseph County:
More on St. Joseph County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is South Bend, IN at risk of?
South Bend 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 St. Joseph County, where South Bend is located, are cold wave, hail, and strong wind.
What is South Bend's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for St. Joseph County, where South Bend is located, scoring 96.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is South Bend a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — South Bend 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 St. Joseph County.
Has South Bend had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 18 tornado, 112 hail, 36 inland flooding events within 25 miles of South Bend since 2016.