Union County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Union County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.2, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Union County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 Union County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.10 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $617K in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Union County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Union County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 8 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, Union County ranks #90 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.10 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $617K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.98 / yr | $26K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $73K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $219K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.04 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.37 / yr | $31K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.75 / yr | $45K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.85 / yr | $27K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.89 / yr | $6K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $226 |
| 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
Union County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Winter Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2003 | 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 Union County?
Union County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Union County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL), Tornado (Low, $617K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Union County compare to other Indiana counties?
Union County ranks #90 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Union County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Union County since 1991, most often 8 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. Union County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.