riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Hancock County Disaster Risk

Hancock County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

57th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% 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 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Hancock County

Risk Verdict

Hancock County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 44th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Hancock County, scoring in the 74th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 70th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (57th), hurricane (15th), wildfire (5th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Hancock County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Hancock County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Indiana. Its composite risk score is within 1.5 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Indiana as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Hancock County, IN?
Hancock County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Hancock County?
Hancock County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (74th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile), flooding (57th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 74th 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 Hancock County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Hancock County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hancock County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Hancock County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Hancock County's tornado risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hancock County is at the 57th 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 Hancock County a safe place to live?
Hancock County's composite risk score of 44th 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 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Noble County

Indiana

+0.2

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Shelby County

Indiana

-0.6

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Henry County

Indiana

+0.8

Relatively Low

45th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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