Clark County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Clark County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.4, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $54M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clark County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 5.78 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $54M in expected annual loss for a population of 121K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clark County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Clark County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Clark County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.78 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | High | 0.27 / yr | $15M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.30 / yr | $29K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.25 / yr | $25M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.85 / yr | $819K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $359K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.47 / yr | $684K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.32 / yr | $94K |
| Hail | Low | 3.52 / yr | $258K |
| Drought | Low | 3.01 / yr | $81K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Clark County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), 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 |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clark County?
Clark County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clark County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $5M EAL), Tornado (High, $15M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clark County compare to other Indiana counties?
Clark County ranks #10 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clark County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Clark County since 1974, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Clark County's $54M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.