Joseph Ernest Meyer House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Dyer than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dyer gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #515 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 96 claims here since 1979.
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 Dyer’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dyer 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 Dyer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dyer, and Dyer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #515 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dyer’s residents live in 6 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, Dyer has more expected damage per building than 87% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across Dyer: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dyer flood? Sometimes: 96 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dyer, from FEMA’s records: 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike17 claims · $456K
Dyer is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lake County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dyer
Disasters that paid out in Dyer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dyer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding808 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Dyer for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$524 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding198 households applied for aid$919K aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$344K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$44K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$17K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Dyer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dyer archive →Dyer and its neighbors
Dyer is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schererville | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| St. John Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| North Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,317 |
| Dyer | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
| Munster | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 508 |
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 Dyer 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.
- Dyer residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Dyer
Is Dyer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dyer has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #515 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dyer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 96 claims in Dyer since 1979, $2.1M in all, or 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (17).
Is Dyer 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 Dyer?
Dyer is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Dyer?
By FEMA money that reached Dyer, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 808 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 17 paid, $456K.
Is Dyer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Dyer’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dyer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dyer’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.