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

Madison County Disaster Risk

Madison County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

77th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#13

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

83th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Madison County, Indiana

Madison County faces moderate risk

Madison County scores 77.26 on the composite risk scale, rating as relatively low but standing 31.74 points above Indiana's state average of 45.52. This elevation reflects scattered vulnerability across multiple natural disaster types, particularly tornado and flood exposure.

Upper-tier risk in Indiana

Madison County ranks in the upper tier of Indiana's risk distribution at 77.26, substantially higher than southern rural counties but trailing Lake County (95.93) and LaPorte County (78.88). The county faces above-average statewide exposure to several hazard categories simultaneously.

Riskier than most central peers

Madison County (77.26) faces higher overall risk than Johnson County (74.65) to the south, though both communities share similar tornado vulnerabilities. Compared to rural southern counties, Madison's exposure stands notably elevated across multiple hazard types.

Tornadoes and flooding lead

Tornado risk at 85.27 represents Madison County's primary threat, while flooding at 82.60 rivals tornado danger as a major hazard. Earthquake risk at 81.84 rounds out three similarly dangerous exposures, making multi-hazard preparation essential.

Multi-hazard insurance is critical

Madison County homeowners should obtain comprehensive coverage for tornado, hail, wind, and flood damage given the 85.27 tornado and 82.60 flood risk scores. Ensure earthquake coverage is included or added separately, as the 81.84 earthquake risk is substantial.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Madison County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Madison County

Risk Verdict

Madison County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Madison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (82th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Madison County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 85th percentile nationally. For Madison County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Flood is the second hazard driver for Madison County at the 83th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Madison County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

Madison County's composite risk score sits 31.7 points above the Indiana county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Madison 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 Madison County, IN?
Madison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 77th 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 Madison County?
Madison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (85th percentile), flooding (83th percentile), earthquake (82th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 85th 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 Madison County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Madison County's composite risk percentile is 77th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Madison County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Madison County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Madison County's tornado risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Madison County is at the 83th 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.
Why is Madison County higher risk than average?
Madison County's composite risk score of 77th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (85th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hendricks County

Indiana

-0.4

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Delaware County

Indiana

-0.9

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Monroe County

Indiana

-1.3

Relatively Low

76th 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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