Decatur County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Decatur County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.1, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Decatur County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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 Decatur County's expected losses come from lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $553K in expected annual loss and about 48.60 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $662K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Decatur 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: Decatur County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 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, Decatur County ranks #73 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 48.60 / yr | $553K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $662K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.53 / yr | $711K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.72 / yr | $95K |
| Drought | Low | 1.66 / yr | $132K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 4.41 / yr | $215K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.11 / yr | $534K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.84 / yr | $102K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.63 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Decatur County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Decatur County?
Decatur County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Decatur County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $553K EAL), Tornado (Low, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $662K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Decatur County compare to other Indiana counties?
Decatur County ranks #73 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Decatur County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Decatur County since 1974, most often 5 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. Decatur County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.