Adams County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Adams County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.1, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Adams County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 52.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.40 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $519K in expected annual loss and about 5.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 36K.
Beyond physical exposure, Adams County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Adams County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Adams County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.40 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.00 / yr | $519K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $373K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 3.53 / yr | $241K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.68 / yr | $575K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.69 / yr | $112K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.87 / yr | $25K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $254 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.11 / yr | $21K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Adams County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Adams County?
Adams County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Adams County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $519K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Adams County compare to other Indiana counties?
Adams County ranks #33 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Adams County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Adams County since 1965, most often 5 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Adams County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.