Storms, floods and disasters in Gary
Gary isn’t graded for hazard risk: Gary has 246 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Gary 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
Wildfire
Strong wind
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.
Does Gary flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Gary. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Gary isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Deuel County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gary
Disasters that paid out in Gary itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gary), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Gary for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$27K to the City of Gary for repairs
Deuel County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gary after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gary archive →Gary and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herrick Township | — | 235 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Glenwood Township | — | 23 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Florida Township | — | 79 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Gary 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Gary
Is Gary 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 Deuel County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Gary?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gary’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 Gary?
By FEMA money that reached Gary, Severe Winter Storm (2005): $27K to the City of Gary for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gary.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gary’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.