Photo: T. Tolbert · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Crown Point faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crown Point gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #136 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1981.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Crown Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Crown Point faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Crown Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crown Point, and Crown Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #136 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crown Point’s residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Crown Point has less expected damage per building than 77% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across Crown Point: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crown Point flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crown Point, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike6 claims · $88K
Crown Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crown Point
Disasters that paid out in Crown Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crown Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,385 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the City of Crown Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding246 households applied for aid$311K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding93 households applied for aid$124K aid approved
- 2007Snow$27K to the City of Crown Point for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$21K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$30K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$27K to the City of Crown Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$27K to the City of Crown Point for repairs
Lake County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Crown Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crown Point archive →Crown Point and its neighbors
Crown Point is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Crown Point | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Ross Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Merrillville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Crown Point faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Crown Point
Is Crown Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crown Point has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #136 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crown Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Crown Point since 1981, $230K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (6).
Is Crown Point in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Lake County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crown Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crown Point’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Crown Point?
By FEMA money that reached Crown Point, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 1,385 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 6 paid, $88K.
Is Crown Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Crown Point’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crown Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crown Point’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.