Orange County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Orange County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.5, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Orange County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $795K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $868K in expected annual loss and about 5.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Orange County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Orange County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 10 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, Orange County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $795K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $868K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.16 / yr | $81K |
| Drought | Low | 4.23 / yr | $156K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.68 / yr | $351K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.54 / yr | $66K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.62 / yr | $986 |
| Hail | Low | 3.55 / yr | $127K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $336K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.88 / yr | $66K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Orange County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), 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 |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Orange County?
Orange County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Orange County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $795K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $868K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Orange County compare to other Indiana counties?
Orange County ranks #53 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Orange County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Orange County since 1979, most often 10 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. Orange County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.