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

Hendricks County Disaster Risk

Hendricks County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

77th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

81th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hendricks County, Indiana

Hendricks faces substantial risk exposure

Hendricks County's composite risk score of 76.81 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but well above the national average. Tornado exposure (87.02) and exceptionally high flood risk (81.01) make Hendricks one of Indiana's more hazardous counties.

Second-highest risk in Indiana

Hendricks' 76.81 score ranks second only to Hamilton County (88.80) among all Indiana counties, nearly 70% above the state average of 45.52. Both tornado (87.02) and flood (81.01) risks place Hendricks in the state's most-threatened tier.

Only Hamilton exceeds Hendricks risk

Hendricks County's 76.81 sits substantially above all neighbors except Hamilton County (88.80), reflecting its elevated position in the state's risk hierarchy. Hancock County to the east (44.02) faces markedly lower exposure, highlighting Hendricks' distinct hazard profile.

Tornadoes and severe flooding are serious

Tornado risk at 87.02 is near the state's maximum, making severe thunderstorm preparedness a critical priority for Hendricks residents. Flood risk at 81.01 compounds this threat dramatically, particularly in the White River valley and low-lying areas prone to inundation.

Invest in comprehensive protection

Homeowners must maintain robust wind and hail coverage and designate or construct a safe shelter for tornado season. Flood insurance is essential; elevate utilities, maintain working sump pumps, and review flood maps to understand your property's actual risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hendricks County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    81th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hendricks County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Hendricks County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 77th percentile. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Hendricks County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (81th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 87th percentile nationally, Hendricks 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. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 82th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Hendricks County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Hendricks 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

Hendricks County is 31.3 composite risk points above the Indiana average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Hendricks 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 Hendricks County, IN?
Hendricks County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 77th 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 Hendricks County?
Hendricks County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (87th percentile), earthquake (82th percentile), flooding (81th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 87th 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 Hendricks County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Hendricks County's composite risk percentile is 77th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hendricks County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Hendricks County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Hendricks County's tornado risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hendricks County is at the 81th 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 Hendricks County higher risk than average?
Hendricks County's composite risk score of 77th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (87th 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

Madison County

Indiana

+0.4

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Delaware County

Indiana

-0.5

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Monroe County

Indiana

-0.8

Relatively Low

76th 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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