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

Fulton County Disaster Risk

Fulton County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

20th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#79

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 5% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fulton County, Indiana

Fulton ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 20.20, Fulton County sits in the "Very Low" category—significantly safer than the national average. This score reflects relatively moderate exposure to tornadoes (50.83) and earthquakes (43.70), but minimal flood and wildfire threats.

Indiana's safest county by far

Fulton County's 20.20 score places it well below Indiana's 45.52 state average, making it the lowest-risk county in the state. This 55% lower-than-average risk reflects the county's geographic position and climate patterns.

Safer than neighboring Grant County

Fulton's risk profile is notably safer than adjacent Grant County (69.40), which faces significantly higher tornado and flood exposure. Hancock County to the south (44.02) also carries substantially more risk, especially from tornadoes and flooding.

Tornadoes present the clearest threat

Tornado risk at 50.83 is Fulton's primary natural hazard concern, though still below many Indiana counties. Earthquake risk (43.70) rounds out secondary exposure, but flood and wildfire risks remain minimal across the county.

Focus tornado prep and coverage

Homeowners should prioritize wind and hail coverage as part of comprehensive homeowners insurance. A weather radio and family plan for accessing sturdy shelter during tornado warnings provide essential low-cost protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fulton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    44th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    32th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Fulton County

Risk Verdict

Fulton County's overall natural disaster score at the 20th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 20th percentile nationally, Fulton County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Fulton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (32th percentile), flood (21th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 51th percentile nationally, Fulton County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 44th percentile nationally means Fulton County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Fulton County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Fulton County's composite risk score sits 25.3 points below the Indiana county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Fulton 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 Fulton County, IN?
Fulton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 20th 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 Fulton County?
Fulton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (51th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 51th 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 Fulton County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Fulton County's composite risk percentile is 20th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Fulton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Fulton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Fulton County's tornado risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Fulton 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 Fulton County a safe place to live?
Fulton County's composite risk score of 20th 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 51th 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.