Dearborn County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Dearborn County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.2, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Dearborn County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $69K in expected annual loss and about 0.48 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.86 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 51K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dearborn County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Dearborn County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 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, Dearborn County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $69K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.86 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 49.51 / yr | $375K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.92 / yr | $143K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.32 / yr | $9M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $401K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.37 / yr | $242K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.63 / yr | $41K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.59 / yr | $137K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.75 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Dearborn County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), 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 |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| 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 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dearborn County?
Dearborn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dearborn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $69K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dearborn County compare to other Indiana counties?
Dearborn County ranks #40 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dearborn County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Dearborn County since 1968, most often 10 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. Dearborn County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.