Jefferson County Disaster Risk
Jefferson County, Indiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
48th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#35
of 92 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson County, Indiana
Jefferson County moderately above average
Jefferson County scores 48.28 on the composite risk scale, slightly exceeding Indiana's 45.52 state average while remaining in the relatively low category nationally. This profile reflects concentrated tornado risk offset by lower wildfire and hurricane exposure.
Middle-to-upper risk tier statewide
Jefferson County ranks above the state median among Indiana's 92 counties for natural disaster risk, placing it in the upper-middle tier. Roughly 55% of Indiana counties present lower overall risk exposure than Jefferson.
Riskier than nearby southern counties
Jefferson County's 48.28 score exceeds neighboring Jennings County (31.90) and Clark County to the southeast, making it one of the higher-risk areas in southern Indiana. Jackson County (52.93) to the west presents marginally higher exposure.
Tornadoes the overwhelming threat
Tornado risk dominates at 82.06 in Jefferson County, among Indiana's highest and driving the county's above-average composite score. Earthquake risk (61.48) ranks moderately elevated, while flood (55.95), hurricane (20.40), and wildfire (9.41) risks remain secondary concerns.
Prioritize tornado protection coverage
Jefferson County residents must secure homeowners insurance with strong wind and hail coverage, as tornado risk (82.06) represents the dominant natural hazard. Earthquake insurance is a practical add-on given the 61.48 seismic score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jefferson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jefferson County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Jefferson County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 48th percentile. At the 48th percentile, Jefferson County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Jefferson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (56th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 82th percentile nationally, Jefferson 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. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Jefferson County at the 61th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. For Jefferson 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
Jefferson County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Indiana county average, with a 2.8-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Jefferson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jefferson County, IN?
What types of natural hazards affect Jefferson County?
How does Jefferson County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Is Jefferson County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Jefferson 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.