Jackson County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Jackson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.9, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Jackson County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 52.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.16 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.39 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 $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 46K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson 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.
History supports the rating: Jackson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 8 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, Jackson County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.16 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.04 / yr | $10M |
| Drought | Low | 4.61 / yr | $264K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.81 / yr | $296K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.38 / yr | $105K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.47 / yr | $409K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.84 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $708K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.79 / yr | $148K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $209 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Jackson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other Indiana counties?
Jackson County ranks #31 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1974, most often 8 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. Jackson County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.