Delaware County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Delaware County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.3, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Delaware County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 76.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.36 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $34M in expected annual loss for a population of 112K.
Beyond physical exposure, Delaware County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Delaware County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Delaware County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.30 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.36 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.04 / yr | $21M |
| Lightning | Medium | 43.97 / yr | $575K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.21 / yr | $152K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.50 / yr | $802K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.80 / yr | $104K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $885K |
| Drought | Low | 0.68 / yr | $88K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.16 / yr | $172K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $378 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Delaware County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 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 |
| September 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Delaware County?
Delaware County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Delaware County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $7M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Delaware County compare to other Indiana counties?
Delaware County ranks #15 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Delaware County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Delaware County since 1974, most often 6 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Delaware County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.