Jackson County Disaster Risk
Jackson County, Indiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
53th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#31
of 92 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
58th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% 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
Moderate
Higher than 83% 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 23% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jackson County, Indiana
Jackson County slightly above average risk
Jackson County scores 52.93 on the composite risk scale, exceeding Indiana's state average of 45.52 while remaining in the relatively low category nationally. This moderate profile reflects elevated tornado and earthquake exposure balanced by lower flood and wildfire risks.
Above-average risk within Indiana
Jackson County ranks above the state median among Indiana's 92 counties for natural disaster risk, placing it in the upper-middle tier. Roughly 60% of Indiana counties present lower risk profiles than Jackson.
Among southern Indiana's riskier areas
Jackson County's 52.93 score exceeds nearby Jennings County (31.90) and Jefferson County (48.28) to the north, making it one of the higher-risk zones in south-central Indiana. Only a few immediate neighbors approach Jackson's hazard exposure.
Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate risk
Tornado risk scores 83.21 in Jackson County, among Indiana's highest, while earthquake risk reaches 74.71—well above state averages. Flood risk (57.60) also exceeds state norms, creating a multi-hazard exposure profile requiring serious preparation.
Comprehensive coverage critical here
Jackson County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with strong wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, plus earthquake insurance given the 74.71 seismic score. Flood insurance through NFIP is also recommended, as the 57.60 flood risk substantially exceeds state averages.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jackson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jackson County
Risk Verdict
Jackson County's FEMA risk score places it at the 53th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (58th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 83th percentile nationally makes Jackson County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Jackson County at the 75th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. In Jackson County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.
Regional Context
The Indiana county average is 7.4 composite points below Jackson County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Jackson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jackson County, IN?
What types of natural hazards affect Jackson County?
How does Jackson County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Is Jackson County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Jackson County higher risk than average?
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.