Starke County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Starke County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.9, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Starke County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 24.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.95 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $677K in expected annual loss and about 5.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Starke 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Starke County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 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, Starke County ranks #70 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.95 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.11 / yr | $677K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $163K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.63 / yr | $177K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.16 / yr | $35K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.32 / yr | $117K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $240 |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.12 / yr | $88K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $7K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.20 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Starke County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Snowstorm (4), Flood (3).
| 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 |
| January 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
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 Starke County?
Starke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Starke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $677K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Starke County compare to other Indiana counties?
Starke County ranks #70 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Starke County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Starke County since 1965, most often 4 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. Starke County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.