Photo: HammondMan · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hammond than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hammond gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #262 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 310 claims here since 1980.
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 Hammond’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hammond 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 Hammond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hammond, and Hammond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #262 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hammond’s residents live in 19 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, Hammond has less expected damage per building than 56% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.7M a year in losses across Hammond: $14.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hammond flood? Yes: 310 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hammond, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike77 claims · $584K
Hammond 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 Hammond
Disasters that paid out in Hammond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hammond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5,120 households applied for aid$8.5M aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes88 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$63K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1,722 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding688 households applied for aid$904K aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding626 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved108 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$21K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding66 households applied for aid$92K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$969 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 Hammond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hammond archive →Hammond and its neighbors
Hammond is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Chicago | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 550 |
| North Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1,317 |
| Highland | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 638 |
| Calumet City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 380 |
| Munster | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 508 |
| Thornton Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2,023 |
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 Hammond 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 Hammond
Is Hammond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hammond has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #262 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hammond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 310 claims in Hammond since 1980, $1.6M in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 31 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (77).
Is Hammond 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 Hammond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hammond’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 Hammond?
By FEMA money that reached Hammond, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 5,120 households applied for aid, $8.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 77 paid, $584K.
Is Hammond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Hammond’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hammond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hammond’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.