riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Vanderburgh County Disaster Risk

Vanderburgh County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

90th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Vanderburgh County

Risk Verdict

Vanderburgh County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Vanderburgh County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 96th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (90th), hurricane (43th), wildfire (31th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Vanderburgh County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Vanderburgh County is significantly riskier than the average county in Indiana. Its composite risk score is 45.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Vanderburgh County, IN?
Vanderburgh County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 Vanderburgh County?
Vanderburgh County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (97th percentile), tornado (96th percentile), flooding (90th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 97th 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 Vanderburgh County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Vanderburgh County's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Vanderburgh County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Vanderburgh County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Vanderburgh County's earthquake risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Vanderburgh County is at the 90th 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.
Why is Vanderburgh County higher risk than average?
Vanderburgh County's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (97th percentile), along with tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Allen County

Indiana

-0.5

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Hamilton County

Indiana

-2.5

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Lake County

Indiana

+4.6

Relatively High

96th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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