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

Starke County Disaster Risk

Starke County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#70

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Starke County, Indiana

Starke County offers low risk protection

Starke County scores 24.94 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, less than half Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county provides one of the safer natural hazard environments in the nation.

Among Indiana's safest counties

Starke County ranks in the bottom quartile of Indiana's 92 counties for natural disaster risk, with a composite score well below the state median. Residents benefit from significantly lower multi-hazard exposure compared to most of the state.

Comparable safety to nearby counties

Starke County (24.94) closely mirrors the risk levels of Steuben County (27.19) and Tipton County (8.87), making the entire northeastern region relatively safe. These neighboring areas share similar geographic and climatic protections.

Tornado risk stands above other threats

Tornado risk scores 59.73 in Starke County, the dominant hazard concern, while flood risk remains moderate at 27.48. Earthquake (41.41) and wildfire (13.14) risks are minimal by comparison.

Prioritize tornado preparedness planning

Starke County homeowners should focus tornado preparedness with reliable homeowners insurance and a FEMA-approved safe room, given the 59.73 tornado risk score. Basic flood insurance is also advisable as a secondary precaution.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Starke County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Starke County

Risk Verdict

Starke County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 25th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 25th percentile nationally, Starke County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Starke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (27th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Starke County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 60th percentile nationally. In Starke County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Starke County at the 41th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Starke County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Starke County households.

Regional Context

Compared to the Indiana county average, Starke County's composite score runs 20.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Starke 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 Starke County, IN?
Starke County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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 Starke County?
Starke County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (60th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 60th 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 Starke County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Starke County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Starke County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Starke County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Starke County's tornado risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Starke County is at the 27th 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 Starke County a safe place to live?
Starke County's composite risk score of 25th 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 60th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Whitley County

Indiana

-0.3

Very Low

25th percentile

Crawford County

Indiana

+0.9

Very Low

26th percentile

Vermillion County

Indiana

-1.5

Very Low

23th 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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