Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Gary’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gary gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #154 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 83 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 Gary’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gary 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
Earthquakes
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 Gary’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gary, and Gary’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #154 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gary’s residents live in 32 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, Gary has less expected damage per building than 74% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.6M a year in losses across Gary: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gary flood? Sometimes: 83 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gary, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike36 claims · $663K
Gary 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gary
Disasters that paid out in Gary itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gary), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding18,028 households applied for aid$33.5M aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes162 households applied for aid$231K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding387 households applied for aid$335K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding318 households applied for aid$567K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6,815 households applied for aid$11.5M aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding478 households applied for aid$418K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2,710 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding1,643 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding782 households applied for aid$364K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,054 households applied for aid$954K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding195 households applied for aid$251K aid approved
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 Gary after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gary archive →Gary and its neighbors
Gary is 2nd of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ross | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Gary | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Calumet Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 293 |
| Hobart | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ross Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Merrillville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Hobart Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
| Hammond | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 310 |
| Lake Station | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| 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 Gary 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Gary
Is Gary at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gary has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #154 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gary flood?
Flood insurance has paid 83 claims in Gary since 1981, $908K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (36).
Is Gary 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 Gary?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gary’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 Gary?
By FEMA money that reached Gary, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 18,028 households applied for aid, $33.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 36 paid, $663K.
Is Gary at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Gary’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gary.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gary’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.