Marion County
Indiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Marion County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 97.5, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $285M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Very High | 0.31 / yr | $39M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.11 / yr | $27M |
| Heat Wave | High | 4.37 / yr | $20M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 4.60 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.93 / yr | $163M |
| Lightning | Very High | 48.18 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $22M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.05 / yr | $570K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.24 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.78 / yr | $610K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.12 / yr | $4K |
| Drought | Low | 2.10 / yr | $50K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 97.5 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Very High, $39M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $27M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $20M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other Indiana counties?
Marion County ranks #1 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
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. Marion County's $285M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.