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

Floyd County Disaster Risk

Floyd County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

75th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

74th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Floyd County, Indiana

Floyd Faces Above-Average Disaster Risk

Floyd County scores 75.38 on composite risk, placing it in the Relatively Low category but significantly above Indiana's average of 45.52. This southwestern county experiences elevated exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly severe weather.

Among Indiana's Higher-Risk Counties

Floyd ranks in the upper tier of Indiana counties by composite risk, making it one of the state's more hazard-prone regions. Only a handful of Indiana counties score higher on overall natural disaster threat.

Riskier Than Nearby Counties

Floyd's 75.38 score exceeds neighboring Franklin (34.22), Fayette (33.49), and Fountain (21.25) counties substantially, making it the highest-risk county in its immediate area. Only Dubois County (59.13) approaches Floyd's risk level among regional peers.

Tornadoes Are the Primary Concern

Tornado risk stands at 92.21, the highest hazard exposure in Floyd County and among Indiana's worst tornado-prone zones. Flood risk at 74.17 and earthquake risk at 77.67 create secondary but substantial threats requiring preparedness.

Strong Storm Protection Is Essential

Floyd residents must invest in a designated safe room or basement shelter and maintain comprehensive wind and hail coverage on homeowners policies. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for all properties in flood-prone areas near the Ohio River.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Floyd County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    74th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Floyd County

Risk Verdict

Floyd County's FEMA risk score places it at the 75th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Floyd County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Floyd County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (74th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 92th percentile nationally makes Floyd County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 78th percentile nationally means Floyd County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Floyd County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The Indiana county average is 29.9 composite points below Floyd County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Floyd 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 Floyd County, IN?
Floyd County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 75th 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 Floyd County?
Floyd County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (92th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), flooding (74th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 92th 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 Floyd County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Floyd County's composite risk percentile is 75th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Floyd County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Floyd County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Floyd County's tornado risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Floyd County is at the 74th 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 Floyd County higher risk than average?
Floyd County's composite risk score of 75th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (92th 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.