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

Fountain County Disaster Risk

Fountain County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

21th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#77

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% 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

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fountain County, Indiana

Fountain County: Indiana's Safest Region

Fountain County's composite risk score of 21.25 is the lowest among Indiana counties and far below the national average, placing it in the Very Low category. Residents enjoy exceptional protection from natural disaster threats across nearly all hazard types.

Lowest-Risk County in the State

Fountain County ranks as Indiana's safest county by composite risk measure, with no peers scoring lower statewide. Its Very Low rating reflects minimal hazard exposure relative to all other Indiana counties.

Clear Winner in Regional Safety

Fountain's score of 21.25 sits far below all nearby counties, including DeKalb (41.32), Fayette (33.49), and Franklin (34.22), making it the safest community in west-central Indiana. Its advantage over neighboring counties is substantial.

Even Top Risks Remain Minimal Here

Tornado risk at 36.90 is Fountain's highest hazard concern but still ranks well below state and national averages. Earthquake risk at 54.68 and flood risk at 21.06 are secondary worries with minimal expected impact.

Basic Coverage Meets Needs Adequately

Fountain County residents can confidently rely on standard homeowners insurance with basic wind and hail coverage as their primary protection. Additional specialized coverage remains optional given the county's exceptionally low disaster risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fountain County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    37th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Fountain County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Fountain County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 21th percentile. A 21th percentile score positions Fountain County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Fountain County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (29th percentile), flood (21th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 55th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Fountain County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Fountain County's tornado risk at the 37th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Fountain County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Fountain County is 24.3 composite risk points below the Indiana state mean, meaning most other Indiana counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Fountain 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 Fountain County, IN?
Fountain County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 21th 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 Fountain County?
Fountain County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (55th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 55th 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 Fountain County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Fountain County's composite risk percentile is 21th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Fountain County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Fountain County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Fountain County's earthquake risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Fountain County is at the 21th 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 Fountain County a safe place to live?
Fountain County's composite risk score of 21th 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 55th 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.