Vanderburgh County
Indiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.