Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hobart faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hobart gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #203 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1990.
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 Hobart 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 Hobart’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hobart, and Hobart’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #203 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hobart’s residents live in 7 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, Hobart has less expected damage per building than 66% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Hobart: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hobart flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hobart, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike8 claims · $140K
Hobart 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hobart
Disasters that paid out in Hobart itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hobart), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,325 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding553 households applied for aid$834K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding200 households applied for aid$178K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$209 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K 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 Hobart after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hobart archive →Hobart and its neighbors
Hobart is 6th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Chicago | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Union Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Gary | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Calumet Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 293 |
| Portage Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| 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 |
| Lake Station | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
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 Hobart 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 Hobart
Is Hobart at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hobart has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #203 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hobart flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Hobart since 1990, $157K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (8).
Is Hobart 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 Hobart?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hobart’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 Hobart?
By FEMA money that reached Hobart, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 2,325 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 8 paid, $140K.
Is Hobart at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Hobart’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hobart.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hobart’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.