Grant County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Grant County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.4, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Grant County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 69.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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 Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $917K in expected annual loss and about 4.47 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 67K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Grant County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Grant County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.47 / yr | $917K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.26 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $12M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.74 / yr | $97K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.23 / yr | $707K |
| Drought | Low | 1.70 / yr | $270K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.84 / yr | $971K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.86 / yr | $183K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.77 / yr | $51K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $587 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Grant County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2003 | 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 Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL), Hail (Medium, $917K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other Indiana counties?
Grant County ranks #21 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 4 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. Grant County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.