Daviess County Disaster Risk
Daviess County, Indiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
59th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#28
of 92 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
62th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Daviess County, Indiana
Daviess County faces above-average risk
Daviess County's composite risk score of 58.81 exceeds the national average, indicating heightened exposure to multiple natural hazards. While not among the nation's highest-risk areas, residents should take disaster preparedness seriously.
Above average risk for Indiana
At 58.81, Daviess County scores 29% higher than Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the upper tier of the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Only a few Indiana counties face comparably high composite risk.
Riskier than most surrounding counties
Daviess County (58.81) faces higher risk than neighboring Crawford County (25.80) and Clay County (27.04), though slightly higher than Cass County (56.77). The county's risk profile stands out among its immediate neighbors.
Earthquakes and tornadoes pose major threats
Daviess County residents face highest risk from earthquakes (88.61) and tornadoes (72.14), both well above state averages. Flood risk (62.21) ranks third and can pose seasonal challenges during heavy rainfall or spring snowmelt.
Earthquake and tornado insurance essential
Standard homeowners policies don't cover earthquakes—add a separate policy given Daviess County's 88.61 earthquake risk score, among the highest in Indiana. Ensure tornado coverage is included and maintain a home emergency kit for the 72.14 tornado risk that makes severe storms a real concern.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Daviess County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Daviess County
Risk Verdict
Daviess County ranks at the 59th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Daviess County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (62th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Daviess County ranks at the 89th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Daviess County's tornado risk at the 72th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Daviess County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
Compared to other Indiana counties, Daviess County runs 13.3 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Daviess County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Daviess County, IN?
What types of natural hazards affect Daviess County?
How does Daviess County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Is Daviess County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Daviess 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.