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

Morgan County Disaster Risk

Morgan County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morgan County, Indiana

Morgan County faces moderate-to-high risk

Morgan County's composite risk score of 63.49 substantially exceeds Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the relatively low category but with notable hazard exposure. Tornado risk reaches 77.67 and flood risk climbs to 70.87, both well above state norms, while earthquake risk at 72.01 adds further vulnerability. Nationally, Morgan County ranks in the middle-to-upper range for natural disaster risk.

Among Indiana's higher-risk counties

Morgan County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Indiana's risk landscape with a composite score of 63.49, substantially above the state average of 45.52. Only Marion County (97.49) and Monroe County (75.99) exceed it in statewide rankings, placing Morgan County among the state's most hazard-exposed regions. Most Indiana counties face lower combined natural disaster vulnerability.

Riskier than most surrounding areas

Morgan County's 63.49 score substantially exceeds Miami County (52.80) and both Montgomery County (41.00) and Marshall County (41.60) to the north. Only Monroe County (75.99) ranks higher among nearby regions, establishing Morgan County as a clear risk leader in its immediate vicinity. Surrounding areas face measurably lower natural disaster threats.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes threaten

Morgan County residents face convergent threats from tornadoes (77.67), floods (70.87), and earthquakes (72.01), each substantially above state averages. This three-part hazard profile makes Morgan County one of Indiana's more vulnerable regions. Comprehensive preparation addressing all three categories is essential for household safety.

Invest in comprehensive coverage

Morgan County residents should add flood insurance and consider earthquake coverage, as standard homeowners policies exclude both water damage and seismic events. Identify local flood risks and develop tornado plans, then practice drills with family members. Annual policy reviews ensure coverage remains adequate for this moderate-to-high-risk environment.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morgan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    71th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morgan County

Risk Verdict

Morgan County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Morgan County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Morgan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (71th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Morgan County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 78th percentile nationally. For Morgan 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. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 72th percentile nationally means Morgan County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Morgan County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

Morgan County's composite risk score sits 18.0 points above the Indiana county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Morgan 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 Morgan County, IN?
Morgan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Morgan County?
Morgan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (78th percentile), earthquake (72th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 78th 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 Morgan County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Morgan County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Morgan County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Morgan County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Morgan County's tornado risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Morgan County is at the 71th 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 Morgan County higher risk than average?
Morgan County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (78th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.