Madison County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Madison County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.3, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Madison County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 77.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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 Madison County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.88 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.41 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 130K.
Beyond physical exposure, Madison 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 federal record bears this out: Madison County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 9 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, Madison County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.88 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.41 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.71 / yr | $20M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.37 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.16 / yr | $168K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 1.19 / yr | $291K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.93 / yr | $119K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.17 / yr | $273K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $631 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Madison County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Snowstorm (4), Flood (3).
| 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 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
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 Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Indiana counties?
Madison County ranks #13 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Madison County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Madison County since 1977, most often 9 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. Madison County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.