Kosciusko County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Kosciusko County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.3, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kosciusko County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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 5.20 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 3.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 80K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kosciusko County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Kosciusko County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Kosciusko County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.20 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.84 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $680K |
| Lightning | Medium | 41.12 / yr | $442K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $10M |
| Drought | Low | 1.94 / yr | $266K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.05 / yr | $83K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $508K |
| Hail | Low | 3.41 / yr | $290K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $32K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.27 / yr | $55K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Kosciusko County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
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 Kosciusko County?
Kosciusko County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kosciusko County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kosciusko County compare to other Indiana counties?
Kosciusko County ranks #22 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kosciusko County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Kosciusko County since 1974, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Kosciusko County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.