Bartholomew County Disaster Risk
Bartholomew County, Indiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
71th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#20
of 92 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
78th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Bartholomew County, Indiana
Bartholomew County above-average risk
Bartholomew County scores 70.87, significantly above the national average and placing it in the relatively low risk category. Your county experiences moderate-to-high exposure to natural hazards compared to typical American communities.
Upper-tier risk in Indiana
Bartholomew County ranks in the higher-risk portion of Indiana's 92 counties with a score of 70.87, well above the state average of 45.52. Only a handful of Indiana counties exceed your disaster vulnerability.
Riskier than most regional peers
Bartholomew County's 70.87 score exceeds nearby Brown County (19.69) and Carroll County (29.64), placing it among the region's most vulnerable. Only Allen County to the north approaches comparable risk levels.
Tornadoes and floods are critical
Tornado risk peaks at 87.34, making severe storms your most immediate threat, while flooding reaches 77.99—reflecting the White River system and precipitation vulnerability. Earthquake risk of 83.30 completes your trio of major hazards.
Strengthen tornado and flood defenses
With tornado risk at 87.34 and flood risk at 77.99, invest in a certified safe room and confirm your flood insurance is current and adequate. Review your homeowners policy annually and maintain emergency supplies for the 48-72 hour period following major storms.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Bartholomew County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Bartholomew County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 71th, Bartholomew County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Bartholomew County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (78th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 87th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Bartholomew County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Bartholomew County at the 83th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. For Bartholomew County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.
Regional Context
At 25.3 points above the Indiana state average, Bartholomew County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Indiana county.
Is your household prepared for Bartholomew County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Bartholomew County, IN?
What types of natural hazards affect Bartholomew County?
How does Bartholomew County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Is Bartholomew County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Bartholomew County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.