Natural Disasters in East Chicago, IN
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
95.9
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
95.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
48.7
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
73.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Cold Wave | 99.4 |
| Tornado | 99.1 |
| Winter Weather | 94.3 |
| Strong Wind | 92.8 |
| Heat Wave | 92.8 |
| Lightning | 92.6 |
| Earthquake | 89.1 |
| Ice Storm | 76.6 |
| Hail | 71.4 |
| Wildfire | 66.1 |
| Landslide | 54.7 |
| Coastal Flood | 41.2 |
| Hurricane | 18.6 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
22
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
11 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 15, 2023 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| May 4, 2018 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Apr 22, 2014 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Apr 22, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Sep 23, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 30, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Nov 30, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 12, 2007 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Oct 6, 2006 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jan 21, 2005 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jun 3, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jul 11, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jan 24, 2001 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Jan 15, 1999 | Snowstorm | IN-WINTER STORM 12/23/98 |
| May 8, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 5, 1991 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 22 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
2,975
Total Claims Paid
$49,352,368
Avg Claim Payout
$16,589
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$12,487,422
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
303
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1795 | Severe Storm(s) | 171 | $7,373,639 |
| DR-4515 | Biological | 16 | $2,089,812 |
| DR-3135 | Snow | 23 | $863,850 |
| DR-3162 | Snow | 37 | $766,014 |
| DR-4173 | Severe Storm(s) | 27 | $714,863 |
| DR-3274 | Snow | 29 | $679,243 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
5
Federal Funding
$798,412
Properties Protected
2
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.52
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $67,500 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 2 | $267,523 |
| 405.1: Other Minor Flood Control | 1 | $463,389 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
East Chicago has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are cold wave, tornado, winter weather. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (11 declarations). 2,975 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $12,487,422 in public assistance recovery funding. 5 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.