Benton County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Benton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.9, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Benton County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 4.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Benton County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $791K in expected annual loss and about 3.47 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $182K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $197K in expected annual loss and about 3.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Benton 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Benton County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 9 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, Benton County ranks #91 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.47 / yr | $791K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $182K |
| Hail | Low | 3.04 / yr | $197K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $541K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $81K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.26 / yr | $21K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.30 / yr | $214K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $70 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.04 / yr | $21K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $531 |
| 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
Benton County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Low, $791K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $182K EAL), Hail (Low, $197K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Indiana counties?
Benton County ranks #91 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Benton County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Benton County since 1974, most often 9 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. Benton County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.