Scott County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Scott County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.3, 22th 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Scott County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 22.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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.
Most of Scott County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $655K 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 — $923K in expected annual loss and about 5.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Scott County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Scott County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 8 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, Scott County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.14 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $655K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.42 / yr | $923K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Low | 3.53 / yr | $62K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $45K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.32 / yr | $170K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.95 / yr | $122K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $445K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.11 / yr | $17K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.61 / yr | $59K |
| 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
Scott County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Scott County?
Scott County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Scott County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $655K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $923K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Scott County compare to other Indiana counties?
Scott County ranks #76 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Scott County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Scott County since 1974, most often 8 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. Scott County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.