Indiana County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Indiana County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.7, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Indiana County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 63.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $494K in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $712K in expected annual loss and about 40.27 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 1.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 83K.
Beyond physical exposure, Indiana 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.
History supports the rating: Indiana County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 for flood events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Debby (tropical storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Indiana County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 1.16 / yr | $494K |
| Lightning | High | 40.27 / yr | $712K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.89 / yr | $14M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $511K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 2.20 / yr | $231K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $201K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.35 / yr | $406K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $762K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $234 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.29 / yr | $35K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.19 / yr | $122K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 16.30 / yr | $6K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Indiana County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Tropical Storm Debby in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Snowstorm (4), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| June 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| July 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Indiana County?
Indiana County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Indiana County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $494K EAL), Lightning (High, $712K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Indiana County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Indiana County ranks #43 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Indiana County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Indiana County since 1972, most often 5 for flood events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Debby, declared in September 2024.
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. Indiana County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.