Photo: Sea Cow · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, East Chicago faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Chicago gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #413 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2007.
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 East Chicago 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 East Chicago’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Chicago, and East Chicago’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #413 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Chicago’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, East Chicago has more expected damage per building than 70% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.8M a year in losses across East Chicago: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Chicago flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Chicago, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $46K
East Chicago 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Chicago
Disasters that paid out in East Chicago itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Chicago), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,248 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the City of East Chicago for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding997 households applied for aid$827K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
Show all 13
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding134 households applied for aid$99K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding595 households applied for aid$985K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2000Snow$39K to the City of East Chicago for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$308K to the City of East Chicago 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 East Chicago after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Chicago archive →East Chicago and its neighbors
East Chicago is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Calumet Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 293 |
| Hammond | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 310 |
| Whiting | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| East Chicago | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| North Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,317 |
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 East Chicago 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 East Chicago
Is East Chicago at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Chicago has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #413 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Chicago flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in East Chicago since 2007, $76K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is East Chicago 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 East Chicago?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Chicago’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 East Chicago?
By FEMA money that reached East Chicago, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 2,248 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $46K.
Is East Chicago at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and East Chicago’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Chicago.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Chicago’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.