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

Vermillion County Disaster Risk

Vermillion County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#72

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Vermillion County, Indiana

Vermillion County carries very low disaster risk

Vermillion County's composite risk score of 23.44 sits well below the national average, marking it as one of the safer counties for natural disasters. This very low rating indicates minimal exposure to the most dangerous hazards.

About half the state average risk

At 23.44, Vermillion County's composite risk is roughly half Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it firmly in the low-risk category statewide. Only a handful of Indiana counties maintain comparable safety profiles.

Safer than surrounding counties

Vermillion's score of 23.44 is lower than neighboring Wabash County (40.97) and Washington County (40.94). Its relatively isolated western Indiana location provides some protection from the more hazard-prone southern and central parts of the state.

Earthquake risk shows the highest exposure

Earthquake risk (65.39) is Vermillion County's most significant hazard, though it remains moderate in national terms. Tornado risk (39.54) and flood risk (32.98) follow, but none approach the severe thresholds seen in higher-risk counties.

Basic homeowners coverage should suffice

Standard homeowners insurance with tornado and wind protections is adequate for Vermillion County's hazard profile. Renters in the county should verify their policies include these protections, especially given the 39.54 tornado risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Vermillion County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    33th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Vermillion County

Risk Verdict

Vermillion County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 23th percentile nationally. A 23th percentile score positions Vermillion County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Vermillion County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (33th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Vermillion County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Vermillion County's tornado risk at the 40th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Vermillion County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Indiana county average exceeds Vermillion County's score by 22.1 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Vermillion 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 Vermillion County, IN?
Vermillion County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Vermillion County?
Vermillion County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (65th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 65th 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 Vermillion County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Vermillion County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Vermillion County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Vermillion County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Vermillion County's earthquake risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Vermillion County is at the 33th 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 Vermillion County a safe place to live?
Vermillion County's composite risk score of 23th 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 65th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Decatur County

Indiana

-0.3

Very Low

23th percentile

Jay County

Indiana

-0.6

Very Low

23th percentile

Wells County

Indiana

-0.6

Very Low

23th 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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