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

Huntington County Disaster Risk

Huntington County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Huntington County, Indiana

Huntington County: Indiana's safest zones

Huntington County's composite risk score of 38.23 places it firmly in the very low category, well below Indiana's 45.52 average and among the safest counties nationally. Residents here enjoy substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most Americans.

Lowest-risk county in the state

Huntington County ranks among Indiana's very safest counties for natural disaster risk, placing it in the bottom quartile of all 92 state counties. Only a handful of Indiana counties offer comparable protection from major natural hazards.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Huntington County's 38.23 risk score significantly underperforms Howard County (63.68) and Henry County (44.82) to the south and west. This makes Huntington one of the safest pockets in north-central Indiana.

Tornadoes the main concern here

Tornado risk reaches 67.91 in Huntington County, the dominant hazard despite being below state averages for that risk type. Earthquake risk (50.70) and flood risk (48.31) remain elevated locally, though wildfire risk (9.61) stays negligible.

Standard coverage meets local needs

Huntington County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with wind and hail protection for tornado safety, the county's primary concern. While earthquake coverage is optional given the moderate 50.70 score, flood insurance through NFIP provides essential backup protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Huntington County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    51th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    48th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Huntington County

Risk Verdict

At the 38th percentile nationally, Huntington County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 38th percentile nationally, Huntington 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 Huntington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (48th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Huntington County ranks at the 68th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Huntington County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 51th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Huntington County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Huntington County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

A composite score 7.3 points below the Indiana state average puts Huntington County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Huntington 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 Huntington County, IN?
Huntington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th 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 Huntington County?
Huntington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (68th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 68th 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 Huntington County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Huntington County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Huntington County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Huntington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Huntington County's tornado risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Huntington County is at the 48th 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 Huntington County a safe place to live?
Huntington County's composite risk score of 38th 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 68th 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.