Clay County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Clay County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.0, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clay County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.58 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $115K in expected annual loss and about 8.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clay 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: Clay County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1959, including 11 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Clay County ranks #68 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.58 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.68 / yr | $115K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Low | 2.53 / yr | $286K |
| Hail | Low | 3.65 / yr | $374K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.63 / yr | $427K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $962K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.53 / yr | $79K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.36 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.21 / yr | $76K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Clay County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1959, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (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 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
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 Clay County?
Clay County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clay County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $115K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clay County compare to other Indiana counties?
Clay County ranks #68 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clay County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Clay County since 1959, most often 11 for severe storm events and 3 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. Clay County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.