Photo: JoeyBLS · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Griffith than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Griffith gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #237 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 215 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 Griffith’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Griffith 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 Griffith’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Griffith, and Griffith’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #237 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Griffith’s residents live in 4 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, Griffith has less expected damage per building than 60% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Griffith: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Griffith flood? Yes: 215 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Griffith, from FEMA’s records: 29.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike20 claims · $811K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $3K
Griffith 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Griffith
Disasters that paid out in Griffith itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Griffith), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,765 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Town of Griffith for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding347 households applied for aid$453K aid approved22 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$37K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding358 households applied for aid$816K aid approved103 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$564 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K 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 Griffith after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Griffith archive →Griffith and its neighbors
Griffith is 4th of the 9 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 |
| Ross Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Griffith | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 215 |
| Merrillville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| 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 |
| Highland | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 638 |
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 Griffith 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 Griffith
Is Griffith at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Griffith has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #237 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Griffith flood?
Flood insurance has paid 215 claims in Griffith since 1979, $2.8M in all, or 29.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (20).
Is Griffith 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 Griffith?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Griffith’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 Griffith?
By FEMA money that reached Griffith, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 1,765 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 20 paid, $811K.
Is Griffith at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Griffith’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Griffith.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Griffith’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.