Bartholomew County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Bartholomew County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.9, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Bartholomew County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 70.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $20M in expected annual loss and about 1.64 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $34M in expected annual loss for a population of 82K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bartholomew County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Bartholomew County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 3 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Bartholomew County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $20M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.15 / yr | $9K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.58 / yr | $150K |
| Hail | Low | 4.15 / yr | $504K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.21 / yr | $686K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.70 / yr | $147K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.00 / yr | $761K |
| Drought | Low | 2.58 / yr | $171K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 49.48 / yr | $223K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bartholomew County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| April 1996 | Flood | Blizzard of 96 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bartholomew County?
Bartholomew County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bartholomew County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $7M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $20M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bartholomew County compare to other Indiana counties?
Bartholomew County ranks #20 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bartholomew County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Bartholomew County since 1974, most often 3 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Bartholomew County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.