Johnson County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Johnson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.7, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $54M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Johnson County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 74.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th 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 Johnson County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 4.47 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $460K in expected annual loss and about 9.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $54M in expected annual loss for a population of 162K.
Beyond physical exposure, Johnson 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Johnson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 8 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, Johnson County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.47 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | High | 9.05 / yr | $460K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.16 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.61 / yr | $30M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.58 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.09 / yr | $5K |
| Lightning | Medium | 49.61 / yr | $519K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $196K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.68 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 2.67 / yr | $240K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Johnson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Snowstorm (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 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Johnson County?
Johnson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Johnson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $11M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $460K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Johnson County compare to other Indiana counties?
Johnson County ranks #18 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Johnson County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Johnson County since 1991, most often 8 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. Johnson County's $54M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.