Perry County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Perry County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.0, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind 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
Perry County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.0 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $890K in expected annual loss and about 5.84 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $616K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perry County has a low 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 federal record bears this out: Perry County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Perry County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.84 / yr | $890K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $616K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.98 / yr | $150K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.46 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.05 / yr | $341K |
| Hail | Low | 3.53 / yr | $241K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.89 / yr | $49K |
| Drought | Low | 4.43 / yr | $73K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $334K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.44 / yr | $78K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Perry County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), 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 |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Perry County?
Perry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.0 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 Perry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $890K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $616K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perry County compare to other Indiana counties?
Perry County ranks #58 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perry County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Perry County since 1974, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 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. Perry County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.