Spencer County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Spencer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.4, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Spencer County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 39.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $249K in expected annual loss and about 1.17 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $964K in expected annual loss and about 5.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Spencer 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Spencer County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Spencer County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.17 / yr | $249K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.03 / yr | $964K |
| Drought | Low | 6.44 / yr | $313K |
| Hail | Low | 3.22 / yr | $371K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.00 / yr | $479K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.86 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.53 / yr | $44K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $200 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.42 / yr | $79K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $195K |
| 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
Spencer County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Spencer County?
Spencer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Spencer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $249K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $964K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Spencer County compare to other Indiana counties?
Spencer County ranks #54 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Spencer County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Spencer County since 1979, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 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. Spencer County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.