riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Carroll County Disaster Risk

Carroll County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

47th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carroll County, Indiana

Carroll County shows low vulnerability

Carroll County scores 29.64 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and substantially below national averages. Your county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American communities.

Safer than Indiana average

Carroll County ranks in the lower-risk portion of Indiana's 92 counties with a score of 29.64, well below the state average of 45.52. Your county sits comfortably in the state's safer tier.

Safe in a moderate region

Carroll County's score of 29.64 exceeds safest neighbors like Benton County (4.87) and Blackford County (9.00), but trails riskier Adams County (52.13) to the south. Your county occupies the safer side of its regional range.

Flood and tornado risks modest

Flood risk reaches 47.23, Carroll County's highest score, while tornado risk of 42.56 remains below state patterns. All other hazards score below 48, reflecting consistently low exposure.

Standard insurance serves well

Carroll County's low disaster vulnerability means standard homeowners insurance adequately protects most properties. Keep weather alerts active during spring severe weather season and maintain basic emergency supplies as routine household preparation.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carroll County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    47th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    47th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    43th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Carroll County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Carroll County ranks at the 30th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Carroll County's favorable 30th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Carroll County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 47th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 47th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (43th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 47th percentile nationally for flood risk, Carroll County residents benefit from understanding their specific flood zone status. Even one inch of floodwater causes significant structural damage to properties outside officially designated high-risk zones. Alongside flooding, earthquake exposure at the 47th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. A tested family preparedness plan specific to Carroll County's primary hazards — including how to shelter in place or evacuate, and who to call — provides more real protection than a general emergency kit sitting unused on a shelf.

Regional Context

At 15.9 points below the Indiana state average, Carroll County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Carroll County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Carroll County, IN?
Carroll County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Carroll County?
Carroll County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (47th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 47th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Carroll County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Carroll County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Carroll County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Carroll County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Carroll County's flooding risk is at the 47th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Carroll County a safe place to live?
Carroll County's composite risk score of 30th percentile is below the Indiana state average of 46th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 47th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.