Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Winfield’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, Winfield gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #151 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Winfield 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 Winfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winfield, and Winfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #151 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winfield’s residents live in 2 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, Winfield has less expected damage per building than 75% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Winfield: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winfield flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Winfield 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 Winfield
Disasters that paid out in Winfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Winfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of Winfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of Winfield for repairs
- 2007Snow$12K to the Town of Winfield for repairs
- 2000Snow$8K to the Town of Winfield 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 Winfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winfield archive →Winfield and its neighbors
Winfield is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes of the Four Seasons | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Porter Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Center Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Winfield Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Winfield | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ross Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Merrillville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
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 Winfield 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 Winfield
Is Winfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winfield has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #151 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Winfield since 2019, $9K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Winfield 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 Winfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winfield’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 Winfield?
By FEMA money that reached Winfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $19K to the Town of Winfield for repairs.
Is Winfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Winfield’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winfield’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.