Hendricks County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Hendricks County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.8, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $60M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hendricks County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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 Hendricks County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $645K in expected annual loss and about 10.05 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.22 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $60M in expected annual loss for a population of 172K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hendricks County has a very low 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.
The federal record bears this out: Hendricks County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Hendricks County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 10.05 / yr | $645K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.22 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $10M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.39 / yr | $34M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.79 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.73 / yr | $205K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.07 / yr | $517K |
| Drought | Low | 2.59 / yr | $363K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Hendricks County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hendricks County?
Hendricks County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hendricks County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $645K EAL), Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hendricks County compare to other Indiana counties?
Hendricks County ranks #14 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hendricks County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Hendricks County since 1996, most often 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Hendricks County's $60M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.