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

Jay County Disaster Risk

Jay County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#74

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% 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 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jay County, Indiana

Jay County: Indiana's lowest-risk area

Jay County's composite risk score of 22.87 ranks among the lowest in the nation, placing it firmly in the very low category and well below Indiana's 45.52 state average. Residents here face dramatically lower natural disaster exposure than the typical American.

Safest county in Indiana

Jay County ranks as Indiana's lowest-risk county for natural disaster exposure among all 92 counties in the state. No other Indiana county presents a substantially lower comprehensive hazard profile.

Safest spot in northeast Indiana

Jay County's 22.87 risk score substantially underperforms Randolph County (to the west) and Adams County, making it the clear low-risk leader in northeast Indiana. Even Huntington County (38.23) to the west carries nearly double the risk exposure.

Moderate tornado risk, minimal others

Tornado risk reaches 61.70 in Jay County, the primary concern but still below Indiana state norms. Earthquake risk (56.97) ranks moderate locally, while wildfire (5.18), flood (36.80), and hurricane risks (38.51) remain minimal to very low.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Jay County residents need only basic homeowners insurance with wind and hail coverage for tornado preparedness, as natural disaster exposure here is minimal. Flood and earthquake insurance are optional add-ons, given the very low risk scores across those hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jay County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jay County

Risk Verdict

Jay County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 23th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Jay County's favorable 23th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Jay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (39th percentile), flood (37th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 62th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Jay County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 57th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Jay County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Jay County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

Jay County falls 22.7 points below Indiana's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Jay 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 Jay County, IN?
Jay County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Jay County?
Jay County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (62th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile), flooding (37th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 62th 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 Jay County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Jay County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jay County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Jay County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jay County's tornado risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jay County is at the 37th 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 Jay County a safe place to live?
Jay County's composite risk score of 23th 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 62th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wells County

Indiana

-0.0

Very Low

23th percentile

Decatur County

Indiana

+0.3

Very Low

23th percentile

Vermillion County

Indiana

+0.6

Very Low

23th 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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