Whitley County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Whitley County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.6, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Whitley County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $446K in expected annual loss and about 1.94 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $827K in expected annual loss and about 5.20 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Whitley County has a 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: Whitley County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Whitley County ranks #71 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 1.94 / yr | $446K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.20 / yr | $827K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.95 / yr | $497K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 3.50 / yr | $265K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $243K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.74 / yr | $466K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.32 / yr | $33K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.25 / yr | $30K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.25 / yr | $78K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Whitley County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Whitley County?
Whitley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Whitley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $446K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $827K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Whitley County compare to other Indiana counties?
Whitley County ranks #71 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Whitley County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Whitley County since 1977, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 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. Whitley County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.