Vigo County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Vigo County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.2, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $46M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Vigo County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 83.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.42 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $466K in expected annual loss and about 8.47 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $46M in expected annual loss for a population of 106K.
Beyond physical exposure, Vigo 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.
History supports the rating: Vigo County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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, Vigo County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.42 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.47 / yr | $466K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.27 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 4.00 / yr | $24M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.37 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.79 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $235K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.19 / yr | $6K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.90 / yr | $317K |
| Drought | Low | 2.07 / yr | $211K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $33K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Vigo County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| July 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | In-Winter Storm 12/23/98 |
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 Vigo County?
Vigo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Vigo County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $466K EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Vigo County compare to other Indiana counties?
Vigo County ranks #8 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Vigo County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Vigo County since 1977, 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. Vigo County's $46M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.