Noble County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Noble County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.2, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Noble County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 44.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 44th 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.20 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $628K in expected annual loss and about 3.36 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 47K.
Beyond physical exposure, Noble 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Noble County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Noble County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.20 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.36 / yr | $628K |
| Drought | Medium | 1.94 / yr | $474K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.58 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $327K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.11 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Low | 39.42 / yr | $189K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.89 / yr | $46K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.43 / yr | $46K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.47 / yr | $115K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Noble County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (3), Biological (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 |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| June 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 Noble County?
Noble County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Noble County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Hail (Medium, $628K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Noble County compare to other Indiana counties?
Noble County ranks #42 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Noble County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Noble County since 1974, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 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. Noble County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.