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

Clinton County Disaster Risk

Clinton County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

31th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#64

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clinton County, Indiana

Clinton County ranks among safest areas

Clinton County's composite risk score of 30.53 places it well below the national average, indicating below-average exposure to major natural hazards. This county enjoys some of the lowest disaster risk in the country.

Low-risk county by Indiana standards

Clinton County scores 30.53, about 33% below Indiana's state average of 45.52, ranking it among the state's safest counties. Only a small number of Indiana counties have lower composite risk scores.

Safest county in the local region

Clinton County (30.53) faces the lowest composite risk of any county in its immediate vicinity, edging out Clay County (27.04) as one of the safest areas in central Indiana. Surrounding counties all score measurably higher.

Tornado and earthquake risks dominate

Clinton County's biggest hazard is tornado risk (56.71), followed by earthquake risk (59.67), while flood risk (34.86) remains relatively low. Even these "highest" local risks remain below-average compared to most Indiana counties.

Standard insurance likely sufficient

Clinton County's low overall risk profile means a standard homeowners insurance policy covers most major perils adequately. Consider earthquake coverage given the 59.67 earthquake risk, but overall, disaster insurance needs are minimal compared to other Indiana counties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clinton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    60th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Clinton County

Risk Verdict

Clinton County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 31th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Clinton County can use the 31th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Clinton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (35th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Clinton County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 60th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Tornado at the 57th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Clinton County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. After a major earthquake, Clinton County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.

Regional Context

Compared to the Indiana county average, Clinton County's composite score runs 15.0 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Clinton 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 Clinton County, IN?
Clinton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 31th 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 Clinton County?
Clinton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (60th percentile), tornado (57th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 60th 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 Clinton County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Clinton County's composite risk percentile is 31th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clinton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Clinton County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Clinton County's earthquake risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Clinton County is at the 35th 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.
Is Clinton County a safe place to live?
Clinton County's composite risk score of 31th 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 earthquake at the 60th 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.