Lawrence County Disaster Risk
Lawrence County, Indiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
48th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#37
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 16% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lawrence County, Indiana
Lawrence County remains relatively safe
Lawrence County scores 47.77 on the composite risk scale, rating as relatively low and just 2.25 points above Indiana's state average of 45.52. This makes Lawrence one of Indiana's safer counties, though residents still face tornado and earthquake exposure.
Among Indiana's lower-risk counties
Lawrence County ranks favorably within Indiana at 47.77, approaching the state average and substantially safer than northern counties like Lake (95.93) and LaPorte (78.88). The county's modest score reflects more balanced hazard distribution without extreme vulnerability.
Lawrence offers relative safety
Lawrence County (47.77) provides notably lower risk than Knox County (55.31) to the west and Johnson County (74.65) to the north, making it a safer pocket within the region. Its position reflects reduced tornado intensity compared to northern Indiana peers.
Tornadoes and earthquakes matter
Tornado risk at 74.27 represents Lawrence County's primary hazard, while earthquake risk at 75.67 serves as the second major concern. Flooding at 55.85 rounds out meaningful exposures, though wildfire and hurricane risks remain minimal.
Standard coverage suffices for now
Lawrence County homeowners should ensure basic tornado and wind coverage within standard homeowners policies, given the 74.27 tornado score. Consider earthquake insurance if your home sits near fault zones, though the 75.67 earthquake risk is lower than many Indiana counties.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lawrence County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lawrence County
Risk Verdict
At the 48th percentile nationally, Lawrence County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Even at the 48th percentile, Lawrence County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Lawrence County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (56th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Lawrence County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 76th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Lawrence County's tornado risk at the 74th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. After a major earthquake, Lawrence County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.
Regional Context
At 2.3 points from the Indiana county mean, Lawrence County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.
Is your household prepared for Lawrence County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lawrence County, IN?
What types of natural hazards affect Lawrence County?
How does Lawrence County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Is Lawrence County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lawrence 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.