Switzerland County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Switzerland County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.6, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Switzerland County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 11.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $46K in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $803K in expected annual loss and about 5.04 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.15 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Switzerland County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Switzerland County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Switzerland County ranks #85 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $46K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.04 / yr | $803K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 3.38 / yr | $34K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.91 / yr | $37K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.71 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $252K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.42 / yr | $62K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.15 / yr | $69K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.37 / yr | $8K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.63 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Switzerland County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Switzerland County?
Switzerland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Switzerland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $46K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $803K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Switzerland County compare to other Indiana counties?
Switzerland County ranks #85 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Switzerland County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Switzerland County since 1968, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 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. Switzerland County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.