Jennings County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Jennings County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.9, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jennings County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 31.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Jennings County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $523K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jennings County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Jennings County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 7 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, Jennings County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.23 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.28 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $523K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.96 / yr | $641K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $106K |
| Drought | Low | 4.17 / yr | $149K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.66 / yr | $185K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.18 / yr | $111K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.37 / yr | $120K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.47 / yr | $364K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.32 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Jennings County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), 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 Jennings County?
Jennings County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jennings County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $523K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jennings County compare to other Indiana counties?
Jennings County ranks #62 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jennings County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Jennings County since 1968, most often 7 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. Jennings County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.