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

Tipton County Disaster Risk

Tipton County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#88

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% 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 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tipton County, Indiana

Tipton County offers exceptional safety

Tipton County scores just 8.87 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, representing one of the lowest disaster risk profiles in the nation—less than one-fifth of Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county provides outstanding natural hazard protection.

Indiana's second-safest county

Tipton County ranks among the absolute safest in Indiana's 92-county system, with a composite score that places it in the lowest percentile statewide. Residents benefit from exceptionally low multi-hazard exposure compared to virtually all other Hoosier communities.

Regional safety champion

Tipton County (8.87) stands as one of Indiana's safest locations, competing with Switzerland County (11.61) for the lowest risk profile. The central Indiana county's terrain and geography provide exceptional natural hazard protections.

Tornado and earthquake pose minimal risk

Tornado risk scores 42.18 in Tipton County—low by comparison to most Indiana counties—while earthquake risk at 45.29 remains minimal. Flood (18.86), wildfire (1.40), and hurricane (14.23) risks are negligible.

Basic tornado insurance provides coverage

Tipton County homeowners should maintain standard homeowners insurance with tornado protection, though disaster risk here ranks among the lowest in the state. A basement or interior room offers practical shelter during rare severe weather.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tipton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    45th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    19th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Tipton County

Risk Verdict

Tipton County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 9th percentile nationally. Tipton County's 9th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Tipton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 45th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (19th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 45th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Tipton County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Tipton County's tornado risk at the 42th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Tipton County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Tipton County falls 36.6 points below Indiana's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Tipton 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 Tipton County, IN?
Tipton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Tipton County?
Tipton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (45th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), flooding (19th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 45th 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 Tipton County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Tipton County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tipton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Tipton County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Tipton County's earthquake risk is at the 45th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Tipton County is at the 19th 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 Tipton County a safe place to live?
Tipton County's composite risk score of 9th 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 45th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Blackford County

Indiana

+0.1

Very Low

9th percentile

Pulaski County

Indiana

+2.3

Very Low

11th percentile

Switzerland County

Indiana

+2.7

Very Low

12th 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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