Posey County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Posey County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.3, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Posey County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $109K in expected annual loss and about 8.05 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $605K in expected annual loss and about 8.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Posey County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Posey County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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, Posey County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.05 / yr | $109K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.42 / yr | $605K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.04 / yr | $133K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.11 / yr | $753K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.30 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 5.83 / yr | $178K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 7.86 / yr | $8M |
| Hail | Low | 2.96 / yr | $239K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $507K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.44 / yr | $94K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $122 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Posey County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Posey County?
Posey County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Posey County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $109K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $605K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Posey County compare to other Indiana counties?
Posey County ranks #39 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Posey County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Posey County since 1977, 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. Posey County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.