Warrick County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Warrick County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.1, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Warrick County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 65.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.46 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $444K in expected annual loss and about 1.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 64K.
Beyond physical exposure, Warrick County has a very low 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: Warrick County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Warrick County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.46 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $444K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.53 / yr | $215K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.16 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 5.21 / yr | $15M |
| Hail | Low | 3.03 / yr | $323K |
| Drought | Low | 5.84 / yr | $151K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.78 / yr | $206K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $720K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $144 |
| 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
Warrick County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), 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 |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 Warrick County?
Warrick County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Warrick County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $444K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Warrick County compare to other Indiana counties?
Warrick County ranks #23 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Warrick County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Warrick County since 1979, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 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. Warrick County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.