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

Jennings County Disaster Risk

Jennings County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

32th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

44th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% 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 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jennings County, Indiana

Jennings County: Very low risk county

Jennings County scores 31.90 on the composite risk scale, placing it firmly in the very low category and well below Indiana's 45.52 state average. Residents here enjoy substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most Americans.

Among Indiana's safest counties

Jennings County ranks in the bottom quartile of Indiana's 92 counties for natural disaster risk, placing it among the state's safest areas. Only about 30% of Indiana counties present lower overall risk exposure.

Safer than Jackson County to the west

Jennings County's 31.90 risk score significantly outperforms nearby Jackson County (52.93) and Jefferson County (48.28) to the west, making it one of the lowest-risk zones in southern Indiana. Even Madison County to the north carries substantially higher hazard exposure.

Tornadoes and earthquakes lead

Tornado risk reaches 67.84 in Jennings County, the primary concern though still below Indiana state norms. Earthquake risk (63.45) ranks moderately elevated locally, while flood (44.37), hurricane (23.45), and wildfire (14.22) risks remain well-managed.

Earthquake insurance recommended

Jennings County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with wind and hail protection for tornado safety, the county's leading hazard. Adding earthquake coverage is prudent given the 63.45 seismic score, which exceeds Indiana state norms.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jennings County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    44th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jennings County

Risk Verdict

Jennings County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 32th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Jennings County's 32th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Jennings County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (44th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jennings County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 68th percentile nationally. In Jennings County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 63th percentile nationally means Jennings County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Jennings County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Jennings County households.

Regional Context

Compared to the Indiana county average, Jennings County's composite score runs 13.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Jennings 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 Jennings County, IN?
Jennings County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 32th 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 Jennings County?
Jennings County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (68th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), flooding (44th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), wildfire (14th 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 Jennings County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Jennings County's composite risk percentile is 32th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jennings County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Jennings County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jennings County's tornado risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jennings County is at the 44th 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 Jennings County a safe place to live?
Jennings County's composite risk score of 32th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Randolph County

Indiana

-0.4

Very Low

31th percentile

Jasper County

Indiana

+0.9

Very Low

33th percentile

Clinton County

Indiana

-1.4

Very Low

31th 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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