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

Union County Disaster Risk

Union County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#90

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

10th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Union County, Indiana

Union County's disaster risk is very low

With a composite risk score of 5.22, Union County sits well below the national average and ranks among the safest counties in the country for natural disasters. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major hazards, though no county is without risk entirely.

Safest county in Indiana

Union County's score of 5.22 is dramatically lower than Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it among the lowest-risk counties in the state. Residents here face roughly one-ninth the disaster risk of a typical Indiana county.

Safer than similar counties nearby

Union County's composite risk of 5.22 outperforms neighboring Warren County (5.76) and Vermillion County (23.44) across most hazard types. Only neighboring counties like Union maintain this exceptional safety profile in east-central Indiana.

Tornadoes pose the highest threat

Tornado risk at 28.37 is Union County's leading hazard, though it remains below state averages. Earthquake risk (26.75) and flood risk (9.54) round out the top concerns, but all three are relatively modest threats.

Standard homeowners insurance covers most needs

Union County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for the county's primary hazards. Still, renters and property owners should verify tornado and wind protections are included in their policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Union County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    28th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    27th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    10th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Union County

Risk Verdict

Union County's overall natural disaster score at the 5th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Union County residents can take confidence from a 5th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Union County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 28th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 27th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (10th percentile), flood (10th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 28th percentile nationally, Union County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Union County at the 27th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. For Union County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Union County's composite risk score sits 40.3 points below the Indiana county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Union 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 Union County, IN?
Union County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Union County?
Union County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile), flooding (10th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 28th 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 Union County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Union County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Union County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Union County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Union County's tornado risk is at the 28th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Union County is at the 10th 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 Union County a safe place to live?
Union County's composite risk score of 5th 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 28th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Benton County

Indiana

-0.3

Very Low

5th percentile

Warren County

Indiana

+0.5

Very Low

6th percentile

Ohio County

Indiana

-1.8

Very Low

3th 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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