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

Perry County Disaster Risk

Perry County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#58

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

49th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Perry County, Indiana

Perry County: Below-Average Risk Profile

Perry County's composite risk score of 35.02 places it in the Very Low category, sitting notably below Indiana's 45.52 average. This relatively protected status reflects broadly manageable natural disaster exposure for residents and property owners.

Lower-Risk Status Among Indiana Counties

Perry County ranks in the safer half of Indiana's 92 counties for overall disaster risk. The county's below-average score indicates consistent protection from hazards, though certain threats warrant attention from property owners.

Comparable to Owen, Safer Than Noble

Perry County's 35.02 score matches Owen (35.11) closely and sits well below Noble (44.24) and Orange (40.49), placing it in a safer regional zone. This consistency with nearby Owen County reflects their shared protection profiles.

Earthquakes and Tornadoes Are Primary Concerns

Earthquake risk scores highest at 64.76, making seismic activity a notable consideration for structural resilience. Tornado risk follows at 64.54, indicating serious spring and summer storm exposure that demands respect and preparation.

Prioritize Earthquake and Storm Coverage

Earthquake insurance deserves serious consideration given the 64.76 risk score, especially for homes built before modern seismic standards. Confirm your homeowners policy includes robust tornado and hail protection due to the 64.54 tornado risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Perry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    49th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Perry County

Risk Verdict

Perry County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 35th percentile nationally. Residents of Perry County can use the 35th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Perry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (49th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Perry County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Perry County's tornado risk at the 65th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Perry County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Indiana county average exceeds Perry County's score by 10.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Perry 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 Perry County, IN?
Perry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Perry County?
Perry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (65th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), flooding (49th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 65th 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 Perry County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Perry County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Perry County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Perry County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Perry County's earthquake risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Perry County is at the 49th 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 Perry County a safe place to live?
Perry County's composite risk score of 35th 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 earthquake at the 65th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Owen County

Indiana

+0.1

Very Low

35th percentile

Franklin County

Indiana

-0.8

Very Low

34th percentile

Fayette County

Indiana

-1.5

Very Low

33th 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.

Explore more data for Perry County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score