Washington County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Washington County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.9, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.9 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.
Most of Washington County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.39 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.36 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $704K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washington County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Washington County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 10 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, Washington County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.36 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $704K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.68 / yr | $100K |
| Drought | Low | 3.56 / yr | $220K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.63 / yr | $289K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $724K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.29 / yr | $49K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.47 / yr | $141K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $381 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.53 / yr | $55K |
| 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
Washington County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.9 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 Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $704K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Indiana counties?
Washington County ranks #52 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washington County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Washington County since 1974, most often 10 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. Washington County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.