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

Steuben County Disaster Risk

Steuben County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% 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

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Steuben County, Indiana

Steuben County maintains very low risk

Steuben County's composite risk score of 27.19 with a Very Low rating falls well below Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county ranks among the lowest-risk natural disaster zones in the United States.

Safer than most Indiana counties

Steuben County ranks in the lower third of Indiana's 92 counties for composite disaster risk, with a score significantly below the state median. Residents experience substantially lower cumulative hazard exposure than average Hoosiers.

Part of a low-risk regional zone

Steuben County (27.19) aligns closely with neighboring Starke County (24.94) and sits far below higher-risk counties to the south and west. The northeastern Indiana region benefits from consistent geographic and climatic protections.

Tornado risk requires primary attention

Tornado risk scores 60.40 in Steuben County, the highest hazard exposure by far, while flood risk at 38.20 poses a secondary concern. Wildfire and hurricane risks remain negligible at 12.95 and 28.49 respectively.

Build tornado safety into home plans

Steuben County homeowners should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance and consider constructing a safe room rated for tornado winds, given the 60.40 tornado risk score. Annual weather preparedness drills strengthen family resilience.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Steuben County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    44th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Steuben County

Risk Verdict

Steuben County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 27th percentile nationally. The 27th percentile national ranking is one lens; Steuben County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Steuben County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (38th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Steuben County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 60th percentile nationally. For Steuben 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 44th percentile nationally means Steuben 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 Steuben County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Indiana county average exceeds Steuben County's score by 18.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Steuben 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 Steuben County, IN?
Steuben County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Steuben County?
Steuben County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (60th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), flooding (38th percentile), hurricane (28th 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 Steuben County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Steuben County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Steuben County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Steuben County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Steuben County's tornado risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Steuben County is at the 38th 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 Steuben County a safe place to live?
Steuben County's composite risk score of 27th 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

Clay County

Indiana

-0.2

Very Low

27th percentile

Parke County

Indiana

+0.4

Very Low

28th percentile

Crawford County

Indiana

-1.4

Very Low

26th 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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