Owen County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Owen County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.1, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Owen County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 35.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.70 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $452K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Owen 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: Owen County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 11 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, Owen County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $50K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.70 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $452K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.32 / yr | $77K |
| Hail | Low | 3.75 / yr | $270K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.53 / yr | $79K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.58 / yr | $342K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.93 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Low | 2.67 / yr | $108K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.28 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $567K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.53 / yr | $63K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Owen County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), 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 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| 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 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Owen County?
Owen County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Owen County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $50K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $452K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Owen County compare to other Indiana counties?
Owen County ranks #57 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Owen County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Owen County since 1991, most often 11 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. Owen County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.