LaGrange County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
LaGrange County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.4, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
LaGrange County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 62.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.07 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $750K in expected annual loss and about 2.91 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, LaGrange County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: LaGrange County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for snowstorm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, LaGrange County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.07 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.91 / yr | $750K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 1.88 / yr | $398K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.16 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.14 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $262K |
| Lightning | Medium | 38.58 / yr | $177K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $770 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $35K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.11 / yr | $31K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.23 / yr | $37K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.95 / yr | $115K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
LaGrange County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (5), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | In-Winter Storm 12/23/98 |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| February 1977 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for LaGrange County?
LaGrange County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in LaGrange County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $750K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does LaGrange County compare to other Indiana counties?
LaGrange County ranks #26 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has LaGrange County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for LaGrange County since 1965, most often 5 for snowstorm 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. LaGrange County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.