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

Clark County Disaster Risk

Clark County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

81th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

81th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Indiana

Clark County ranks among highest-risk areas

Clark County's composite risk score of 81.36 places it well above the national average, signaling significant and diverse natural hazard exposure. This is one of Indiana's most hazard-prone counties, requiring serious disaster preparedness and comprehensive insurance.

Highest-risk county in Indiana

Clark County's score of 81.36 towers 79% above Indiana's state average of 45.52, making it by far the highest-risk county in the state. No other Indiana county comes close to this level of composite disaster exposure.

Far riskier than surrounding counties

Clark County (81.36) faces dramatically higher risk than all adjacent counties, including Dearborn County (45.23) and Crawford County (25.80). The concentration of multiple hazard types in Clark County is exceptional within Indiana.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods threaten

Clark County residents face extreme tornado risk (95.17—the highest in Indiana), combined with severe earthquake (84.26) and flood (81.17) risks. This convergence of three major hazards makes Clark County the state's most disaster-prone area.

Multi-hazard insurance coverage critical

Clark County residents must secure tornado coverage, earthquake insurance, and flood insurance—standard homeowners policies cover only some of these perils. Given the county's extreme 95.17 tornado risk and 84.26 earthquake risk, comprehensive coverage isn't optional; it's essential protection for your family and assets.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clark County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    81th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Clark County

Risk Verdict

With a composite score at the 81th percentile, Clark County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Clark County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (81th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 95th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Clark 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. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 84th percentile nationally means Clark County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Clark 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 35.8 points above the Indiana state average, Clark County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Indiana county.

Is your household prepared for Clark 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 Clark County, IN?
Clark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 81th 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 Clark County?
Clark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), earthquake (84th percentile), flooding (81th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 95th 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 Clark County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Clark County's composite risk percentile is 81th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clark County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Clark County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Clark County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Clark County is at the 81th percentile.
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.
Why is Clark County higher risk than average?
Clark County's composite risk score of 81th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.