Daviess County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Daviess County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.8, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Daviess County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Daviess County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $129K in expected annual loss and about 7.21 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $519K in expected annual loss and about 3.24 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Daviess County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Daviess County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Daviess County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.21 / yr | $129K |
| Drought | Medium | 3.24 / yr | $519K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.28 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.21 / yr | $5K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.11 / yr | $573K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.25 / yr | $642K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.54 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $101K |
| Hail | Low | 3.07 / yr | $228K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.67 / yr | $199K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $339K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Daviess County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Daviess County?
Daviess County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Daviess County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $129K EAL), Drought (Medium, $519K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Daviess County compare to other Indiana counties?
Daviess County ranks #28 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Daviess County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Daviess County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 4 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. Daviess County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.