Blackford County

Indiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

9.0

National percentile: 9th

Blackford County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.0, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $4M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 12K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Tornado
Low $984K/yr
Earthquake
Very Low $189K/yr
Heat Wave
Very Low $177K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Tornado Low 0.12 / yr $984K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $189K
Heat Wave Very Low 5.05 / yr $177K
Strong Wind Low 4.52 / yr $333K
Hail Low 4.14 / yr $137K
Drought Very Low 1.09 / yr $23K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $6K
Landslide Very Low 0.03 / yr $122
Winter Weather Very Low 9.95 / yr $16K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.25 / yr $2M
Cold Wave Very Low 3.68 / yr $151K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.71 / yr $7K
Lightning Very Low 43.25 / yr $34K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $906
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Blackford County?

Blackford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Blackford County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Low, $984K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $189K EAL), Heat Wave (Very Low, $177K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Blackford County compare to other Indiana counties?

Blackford County ranks #87 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

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. Blackford County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.