Harrison County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Harrison County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.0, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Harrison County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 51.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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 Harrison County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.84 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $807K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harrison County has a 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.
The federal record bears this out: Harrison County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Harrison County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.84 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $807K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.63 / yr | $106K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $150K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.74 / yr | $420K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.44 / yr | $252K |
| Drought | Low | 2.22 / yr | $107K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $707 |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.40 / yr | $88K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / 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
Harrison County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), 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 |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harrison County?
Harrison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harrison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $807K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harrison County compare to other Indiana counties?
Harrison County ranks #34 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harrison County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Harrison County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 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. Harrison County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.