Lawrence County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Lawrence County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.8, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Lawrence County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 47.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 48th 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 Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.44 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 45K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lawrence County has a low 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 federal record bears this out: Lawrence County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 11 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Lawrence County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.44 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.53 / yr | $136K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.74 / yr | $690K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.68 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.44 / yr | $104K |
| Drought | Low | 4.28 / yr | $134K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $694 |
| Hail | Low | 3.60 / yr | $186K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.62 / yr | $168K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $449K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Lawrence County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lawrence County?
Lawrence County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lawrence County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lawrence County compare to other Indiana counties?
Lawrence County ranks #37 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lawrence County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Lawrence County since 1974, most often 11 for severe storm events and 4 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. Lawrence County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.