Wabash County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Wabash County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.0, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wabash County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 41.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $971K in expected annual loss and about 5.29 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $483K in expected annual loss and about 1.94 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wabash 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: Wabash County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1999, including 5 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Wabash County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.29 / yr | $971K |
| Drought | Medium | 1.94 / yr | $483K |
| Hail | Low | 3.86 / yr | $402K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.95 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $313K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.64 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.16 / yr | $213K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.89 / yr | $40K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.90 / yr | $128K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $15K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.94 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Wabash County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1999, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (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 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wabash County?
Wabash County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wabash County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $971K EAL), Drought (Medium, $483K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wabash County compare to other Indiana counties?
Wabash County ranks #51 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wabash County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Wabash County since 1999, most often 5 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Wabash County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.