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

Grant County Disaster Risk

Grant County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

73th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% 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 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grant County, Indiana

Grant faces elevated risk nationwide

Grant County's composite risk score of 69.40 substantially exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating but reflecting real hazard exposure. The county confronts above-average tornado (88.84) and flood (73.41) risks that are among Indiana's highest.

High-risk profile within Indiana

Grant's 69.40 score ranks it well above Indiana's 45.52 state average—placing the county in the upper tier of state risk. Tornado exposure at 88.84 is the third-highest in the state, making severe weather a defining feature of the county's hazard landscape.

Grant faces more risk than Fulton

Grant County's 69.40 risk score substantially exceeds nearby Fulton County's 20.20, making Grant one of the state's riskier counties. Tornado exposure in Grant (88.84) is more than 70% higher than Fulton's, reflecting different geographic and meteorological conditions.

Tornadoes and flooding dominate hazards

Tornadoes pose Grant County's greatest threat at 88.84—among the state's highest tornado exposure levels. Flooding at 73.41 presents a secondary but serious risk, particularly during severe spring and summer weather events.

Prepare for severe storms and flooding

Homeowners need comprehensive wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, plus a designated safe room or basement shelter. Flood insurance is critical; review FEMA flood maps and elevate utilities in flood-prone areas to reduce damage risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grant County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    73th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Grant County

Risk Verdict

Grant County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Grant County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Grant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (73th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Grant County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 89th percentile nationally. For Grant 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. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Grant County at the 78th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Grant County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

Grant County's composite risk score sits 23.9 points above the Indiana county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Grant 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 Grant County, IN?
Grant County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Grant County?
Grant County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (89th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), flooding (73th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 89th 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 Grant County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Grant County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grant County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Grant County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Grant County's tornado risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Grant County is at the 73th 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 Grant County higher risk than average?
Grant County's composite risk score of 69th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (89th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bartholomew County

Indiana

+1.5

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Kosciusko County

Indiana

-3.1

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Warrick County

Indiana

-4.3

Relatively Low

65th 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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