Sullivan County Disaster Risk
Sullivan County, Indiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
21th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#78
of 92 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
23th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 48% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sullivan County, Indiana
Sullivan County enjoys minimal risk
Sullivan County scores 20.64 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, less than half of Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county represents one of the nation's safer communities for natural disaster exposure.
Among Indiana's lowest-risk counties
Sullivan County ranks among the safest in Indiana's 92-county system, with a composite score significantly below the state median. Multi-hazard exposure here is substantially lower than the typical Indiana county.
Safest in its immediate region
Sullivan County (20.64) edges out Spencer County (39.41) as one of the region's safest options and shares similar protections with Switzerland County (11.61). The south-central Indiana zone benefits from relative geographic isolation from major hazard zones.
Tornadoes and earthquakes pose risks
Tornado risk reaches 47.96 in Sullivan County, the primary hazard concern, while earthquake risk at 77.93 reflects underlying seismic activity. Flood (23.03), wildfire (2.80), and hurricane (24.16) risks all remain low.
Focus on tornado and earthquake coverage
Sullivan County homeowners should maintain homeowners insurance with tornado protection and consider earthquake coverage given the 77.93 earthquake risk score. A basement safe space provides practical refuge during severe weather.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sullivan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sullivan County
Risk Verdict
At the 21th percentile nationally, Sullivan County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 21th percentile, Sullivan County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Sullivan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (24th percentile), flood (23th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Sullivan County ranks at the 78th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Sullivan County's tornado risk at the 48th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Sullivan County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
A composite score 24.9 points below the Indiana state average puts Sullivan County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Sullivan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sullivan County, IN?
What types of natural hazards affect Sullivan County?
How does Sullivan County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Is Sullivan County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Sullivan County a safe place to live?
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.