Parke County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Parke County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.6, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Parke County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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 Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $422K in expected annual loss and about 2.53 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $451K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Parke 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: Parke County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 9 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, Parke County ranks #66 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.34 / yr | $12K |
| Drought | Medium | 2.53 / yr | $422K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $451K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.26 / yr | $79K |
| Hail | Low | 3.69 / yr | $300K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.56 / yr | $494K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $976K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.63 / yr | $252K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 4.00 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.66 / yr | $33K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.21 / yr | $103K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $9K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Parke County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), 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 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
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 Parke County?
Parke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Parke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Drought (Medium, $422K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $451K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Parke County compare to other Indiana counties?
Parke County ranks #66 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Parke County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Parke County since 1977, most often 9 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. Parke County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.