Martin County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Martin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.3, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Martin County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 12.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $351K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 0.77 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $86K in expected annual loss and about 3.60 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Martin 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.
History supports the rating: Martin County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Martin County ranks #83 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $351K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.77 / yr | $1K |
| Drought | Low | 3.60 / yr | $86K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.31 / yr | $410K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.00 / yr | $181K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.37 / yr | $36K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $653K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.50 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $28K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $156K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.50 / yr | $46K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.32 / yr | $35K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $967 |
| 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
Martin County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (3), 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 |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Martin County?
Martin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Martin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Very Low, $351K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Drought (Low, $86K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Martin County compare to other Indiana counties?
Martin County ranks #83 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Martin County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Martin County since 1979, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 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. Martin County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.