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

Ohio County Disaster Risk

Ohio County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#92

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ohio County, Indiana

Ohio County: Indiana's Safest Haven

Ohio County's composite risk score of 3.37 ranks it in the Very Low category—dramatically below Indiana's 45.52 average and among the safest counties nationally. This small county on Indiana's southeastern border enjoys exceptional protection from the full spectrum of natural disasters.

The Safest County in Indiana

Ohio County ranks at or near the bottom of Indiana's 92-county risk list, with a composite score that is less than 8 percent of the state average. Its low exposure across nearly every hazard type makes it a statistical outlier for natural disaster risk in the state.

Dramatically Safer Than Surrounding Counties

Ohio County's 3.37 score is a fraction of nearby Orange (40.49), Perry (35.02), and Owen (35.11), making it substantially safer than all adjacent counties. This exceptional safety profile distinguishes it as a true low-risk enclave in south-central Indiana.

Tornado Risk Remains the Primary Concern

Even in Ohio County's remarkably safe profile, tornado risk scores 34.48—the highest hazard type, though still well below state averages. All other hazards, from flood (7.76) to wildfire (0.89), remain minimal concerns for residents.

Basic Coverage Meets Your Needs

Your primary focus should be standard homeowners insurance with adequate tornado coverage, given the 34.48 tornado risk. The county's minimal flood and wildfire exposure means you can confidently skip those specialized policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ohio County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    34th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    25th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    8th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Ohio County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Ohio County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 3th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Ohio County's favorable 3th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Ohio County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 34th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 25th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (8th percentile), hurricane (7th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 34th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Ohio County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Ohio County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 25th percentile nationally means Ohio County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Ohio County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Ohio County is 42.1 composite risk points below the Indiana state mean, meaning most other Indiana counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Ohio 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 Ohio County, IN?
Ohio County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Ohio County?
Ohio County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (34th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile), flooding (8th percentile), hurricane (7th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 34th 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 Ohio County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Ohio County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ohio County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Ohio County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Ohio County's tornado risk is at the 34th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Ohio County is at the 8th 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 Ohio County a safe place to live?
Ohio County's composite risk score of 3th 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 34th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.