Less hazard damage per building is expected in New Chicago than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Chicago gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (17%). 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 New Chicago 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 New Chicago’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Chicago, and New Chicago’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Chicago’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $605K a year in losses across New Chicago: $283K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Chicago flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in New Chicago. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
New Chicago 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Chicago
Disasters that paid out in New Chicago itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Chicago), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2007Snow$2K to the Town of New Chicago for repairs
- 2000Snow$4K to the Town of New Chicago for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$8K to the Town of New Chicago for repairs
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 New Chicago after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Chicago archive →New Chicago and its neighbors
New Chicago has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. 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 | 0 |
| Hobart | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| 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 New Chicago 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 New Chicago
Is New Chicago at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Chicago has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (17%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is New Chicago 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 New Chicago?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Chicago’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 New Chicago?
By FEMA money that reached New Chicago, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 8 households applied for aid, $18K approved.
Is New Chicago at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and New Chicago’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Chicago.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Chicago’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.