Knox County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Knox County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.3, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Knox County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 55.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.93 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $147K in expected annual loss and about 7.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 36K.
Beyond physical exposure, Knox County has a 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: Knox County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 9 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, Knox County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Medium | 2.93 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.26 / yr | $147K |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.85 / yr | $502K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.26 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.16 / yr | $667K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.40 / yr | $110K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 5.21 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.20 / yr | $623K |
| Hail | Low | 2.98 / yr | $284K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $336K |
| 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
Knox County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), 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 |
| 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 |
| September 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
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 Knox County?
Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $147K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knox County compare to other Indiana counties?
Knox County ranks #30 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Knox County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Knox County since 1979, most often 9 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. Knox County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.