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

Crawford County Disaster Risk

Crawford County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#69

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Crawford County, Indiana

Crawford County faces minimal risk

Crawford County's composite risk score of 25.80 ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below the national average. Residents here enjoy below-average exposure to major natural disasters across all hazard types.

Indiana's safest counties include Crawford

Crawford County scores 25.80, about 43% below Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it among the state's lowest-risk areas. Few Indiana counties can match Crawford County's low composite risk score.

Safest in the southern Indiana region

Crawford County (25.80) ranks among the lowest-risk counties in its immediate area, with only Clay County (27.04) comparable in safety. All surrounding counties score noticeably higher in composite disaster risk.

Tornadoes present the main threat

Crawford County's primary natural hazard risk comes from tornadoes (60.50), which remains moderate by statewide standards. Flood risk (40.87) ranks second, while wildfire (8.46) and hurricane (12.77) risks are minimal.

Basic homeowners coverage usually adequate

Crawford County's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance covers the primary perils adequately for most residents. A home emergency kit for tornadoes and regular roof inspections offer practical protection in this very safe county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Crawford County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    41th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Crawford County

Risk Verdict

Crawford County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 26th percentile nationally. A 26th percentile score positions Crawford County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Crawford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (41th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Crawford County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 60th percentile nationally. For Crawford County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 53th percentile nationally means Crawford County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Crawford County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Indiana county average exceeds Crawford County's score by 19.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Crawford 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 Crawford County, IN?
Crawford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Crawford County?
Crawford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (60th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), flooding (41th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado 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 Crawford County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Crawford County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Crawford County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Crawford County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Crawford County's tornado risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Crawford County is at the 41th 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 Crawford County a safe place to live?
Crawford County's composite risk score of 26th 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 tornado at the 60th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Starke County

Indiana

-0.9

Very Low

25th percentile

Whitley County

Indiana

-1.2

Very Low

25th percentile

Clay County

Indiana

+1.2

Very Low

27th percentile

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.

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