Ripley County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Ripley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.8, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Ripley County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 46.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.76 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ripley 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.
History supports the rating: Ripley County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Ripley County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.76 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.24 / yr | $8K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $587K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.21 / yr | $7M |
| Drought | Low | 3.03 / yr | $156K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.57 / yr | $232K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.62 / yr | $78K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $684K |
| Hail | Low | 4.35 / yr | $159K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.32 / yr | $154K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.58 / yr | $26K |
| 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
Ripley County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ripley County?
Ripley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ripley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Landslide (Low, $8K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ripley County compare to other Indiana counties?
Ripley County ranks #38 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ripley County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Ripley County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Ripley County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.