Vermillion County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Vermillion County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.4, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Vermillion County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $577K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.47 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Vermillion 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.
History supports the rating: Vermillion County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 7 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, Vermillion County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $577K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.47 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 2.15 / yr | $241K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.47 / yr | $72K |
| Hail | Low | 2.99 / yr | $243K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.20 / yr | $409K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $784K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.68 / yr | $196K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.12 / yr | $43K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 3.89 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $12K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.08 / yr | $54K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Vermillion County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
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 Vermillion County?
Vermillion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Vermillion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $577K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Vermillion County compare to other Indiana counties?
Vermillion County ranks #72 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Vermillion County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Vermillion County since 1979, most often 7 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. Vermillion County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.