Wayne County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Wayne County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.1, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wayne County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 74.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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.
Most of Wayne County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.76 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 2.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 67K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wayne County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Wayne County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Wayne County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.31 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.76 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.07 / yr | $14M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $806K |
| Hail | Low | 4.24 / yr | $411K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.35 / yr | $247K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.95 / yr | $82K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.58 / yr | $57K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.16 / yr | $272K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $10K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Wayne County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| July 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other Indiana counties?
Wayne County ranks #19 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wayne County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Wayne County since 1991, most often 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Wayne County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.