East Chicago, IN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
East Chicago is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lake County, IN. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, tornado, and inland flooding.
Storm events near East Chicago
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of East Chicago's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to East Chicago itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Lake County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering East Chicago along with the rest of the county, not a East Chicago-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 66.1 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 96.2 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 41.2 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 89.1 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 92.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 99.1 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 99.4 | Very High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 71.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 18.6 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 76.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 54.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 92.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 92.8 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 94.3 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lake County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Lake County:
More on Lake County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is East Chicago, IN at risk of?
East Chicago is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Lake County, where East Chicago is located, are cold wave, tornado, and inland flooding.
What is East Chicago's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Lake County, where East Chicago is located, scoring 99.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is East Chicago a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — East Chicago carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Lake County.
Has East Chicago had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 42 tornado, 145 hail, 198 inland flooding events within 25 miles of East Chicago since 2016.