Knox County Disaster Risk
Knox County, Indiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#30
of 92 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
53th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% 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
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Knox County, Indiana
Knox County risks stay below state
Knox County's composite risk score of 55.31 rates as relatively low and sits just 9.79 points above Indiana's state average of 45.52. This makes Knox one of the state's safer counties, though residents still face meaningful hazard exposure.
Safer than most Indiana counties
Knox County ranks among Indiana's lower-risk counties at 55.31, outperforming the majority of state communities in overall disaster vulnerability. Its "relatively low" rating reflects more balanced hazard distribution rather than extreme exposure to any single threat.
Knox balances risk with neighbors
Knox County (55.31) sits between Johnson County (74.65) to the north and Lawrence County (47.77) to the east, making it a middle ground for risk exposure. Its lower score reflects reduced tornado danger compared to nearby Johnson County.
Earthquakes and tornadoes lead threats
Earthquake risk dominates Knox County at 90.49—the highest exposure of all hazard types—while tornado risk at 60.97 represents the second major concern. Flooding at 53.44 rounds out the primary hazards, though wildfire exposure remains minimal at 8.21.
Don't skip earthquake insurance
Knox County's exceptional earthquake risk score of 90.49 makes standalone earthquake insurance a critical investment, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage. Ensure tornado and hail coverage is included in your primary policy given the 60.97 tornado risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Knox County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Knox County
Risk Verdict
Knox County ranks at the 55th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Knox County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (53th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Knox County ranks at the 90th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Tornado at the 61th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Knox County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Knox County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
Compared to other Indiana counties, Knox County runs 9.8 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Knox County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Knox County, IN?
What types of natural hazards affect Knox County?
How does Knox County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Is Knox County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Knox 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.