Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Garrett’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garrett gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #170 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Garrett’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Garrett 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
Hail
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 Garrett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Garrett, and Garrett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #170 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Garrett’s residents live in 2 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, Garrett has less expected damage per building than 71% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Garrett: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Garrett flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Garrett. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Garrett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Garrett
Disasters that paid out in Garrett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Garrett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2007Snow$6K to the City of Garrett for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$9K to the City of Garrett for repairs
DeKalb County has had 12 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 Garrett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Garrett archive →Garrett and its neighbors
Garrett has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Altona | — | 415 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Garrett 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Garrett
Is Garrett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garrett has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #170 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Garrett 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 DeKalb County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Garrett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Garrett’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 Garrett?
By FEMA money that reached Garrett, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 9 households applied for aid, $21K approved.
Is Garrett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Garrett’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Garrett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Garrett’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.