Blackford County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Blackford County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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 Blackford County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $984K in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $189K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Very Low risk — $177K in expected annual loss and about 5.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Blackford County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Blackford 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, Blackford County ranks #87 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Blackford 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 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Blackford County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Blackford 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. Blackford County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.