Vanderburgh County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Vanderburgh County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.3, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $96M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Vanderburgh County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 91.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 91st national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Vanderburgh County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $32M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.22 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $96M in expected annual loss for a population of 180K.
Beyond physical exposure, Vanderburgh County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Vanderburgh County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 11 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, Vanderburgh County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $32M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.22 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.17 / yr | $13M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.16 / yr | $740K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.37 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.15 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 4.25 / yr | $36M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.11 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.98 / yr | $983K |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.21 / yr | $682K |
| Drought | Low | 5.10 / yr | $167K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $147 |
| 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
Vanderburgh County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (3), 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 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| October 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Vanderburgh County?
Vanderburgh County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Vanderburgh County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $32M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $13M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Vanderburgh County compare to other Indiana counties?
Vanderburgh County ranks #3 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Vanderburgh County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Vanderburgh County since 1991, most often 11 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. Vanderburgh County's $96M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.