Photo: Coal town guy · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Gary
Gary isn’t graded for hazard risk: Gary has 861 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1984.
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
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? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gary, from FEMA’s records.
- The February West Virginia Flooding3 claims · $39K
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: McDowell County.10 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.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$200K aid approved$271K to the City of Gary for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$4K to the City of Gary for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$1K to the City of Gary for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Gary for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$52K to the City of Gary for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$237 aid approved
Show all 10
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides17 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$43K to the City of Gary for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$27K to the City of Gary for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
McDowell County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in McDowell County, 2001–2001.
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 →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.
- 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
Does Gary flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Gary since 1984, $146K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from February West Virginia Flooding (3).
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 McDowell County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.6% of all homes do.
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 Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 31 households applied for aid, $200K approved, and $271K to the City of Gary for repairs. By flood claims, February West Virginia Flooding: 3 paid, $39K.
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.