Randolph County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Randolph County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.5, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Randolph County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 31.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $417K 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 — $538K in expected annual loss and about 3.99 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Randolph County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Randolph County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Randolph County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $417K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.99 / yr | $538K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 4.16 / yr | $169K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $232 |
| Lightning | Low | 44.09 / yr | $84K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $21K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.47 / yr | $17K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.37 / yr | $186K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.05 / yr | $50K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Randolph County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2003 | 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 Randolph County?
Randolph County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Randolph County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $417K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $538K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Randolph County compare to other Indiana counties?
Randolph County ranks #63 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Randolph County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Randolph County since 1974, most often 5 for severe storm events and 4 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. Randolph County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.