Wells County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Wells County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.8, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wells County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 22.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $684K in expected annual loss and about 4.59 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $332K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wells 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Wells County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for snowstorm events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Wells County ranks #75 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.59 / yr | $684K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $332K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.00 / yr | $410K |
| Drought | Low | 0.91 / yr | $77K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.32 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.69 / yr | $168K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.68 / yr | $396K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $171 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.85 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.68 / yr | $79K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.16 / yr | $12K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Wells County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| July 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | In-Winter Storm 12/23/98 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wells County?
Wells County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wells County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Low, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $684K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $332K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wells County compare to other Indiana counties?
Wells County ranks #75 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wells County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Wells County since 1965, most often 4 for snowstorm events and 3 for severe storm 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. Wells County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.