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

Greene County Disaster Risk

Greene County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#47

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greene County, Indiana

Greene sits below national risk levels

With a composite risk score of 42.49, Greene County earns a "Very Low" rating and runs below the national average. The county still faces meaningful tornado exposure (63.45) and moderate flood risk (52.04), though both remain manageable compared to national highs.

Below Indiana's average risk profile

Greene's 42.49 score falls below Indiana's 45.52 state average, positioning the county in the safer half of the state. Tornado and flood risks remain moderate but substantially lower than northeastern Indiana counties like Grant and Hamilton.

Safer than Grant, comparable to Gibson

Greene County's 42.49 score places it well below Grant County's 69.40, reflecting Greene's lower tornado and flood exposure. The county's risk profile aligns closely with Gibson County (48.00), making both reasonable alternatives within the region.

Tornadoes and flooding warrant attention

Tornado risk at 63.45 represents Greene's primary natural hazard concern, though below many Indiana counties. Flooding (52.04) poses a secondary threat, especially in river valleys and low-lying areas during heavy precipitation events.

Bundle tornado and flood protections

Ensure homeowners insurance includes robust wind and hail coverage for tornado preparedness. Separate flood insurance is essential for properties near streams or in mapped floodplains; review coverage annually and maintain a household emergency plan.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greene County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    52th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Greene County

Risk Verdict

At the 42th percentile nationally, Greene County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Greene County's favorable 42th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Greene County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (52th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Greene County ranks at the 75th 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. The county's tornado risk at the 63th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Greene 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

The county's composite score diverges by only 3.0 points from the Indiana average, making Greene County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Greene 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 Greene County, IN?
Greene County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Greene County?
Greene County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (75th percentile), tornado (63th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 75th 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 Greene County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Greene County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Greene County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Greene County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Greene County's earthquake risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Greene County is at the 52th 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 Greene County a safe place to live?
Greene County's composite risk score of 42th 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 75th 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.