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

Vigo County Disaster Risk

Vigo County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Vigo County, Indiana

Vigo County faces elevated national disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 83.21, Vigo County confronts hazard exposure nearly twice the national average. This relatively moderate rating reflects concentrated risk from multiple natural disaster types.

Second-highest risk in Indiana

Vigo County's score of 83.21 nearly doubles Indiana's state average of 45.52, ranking it among the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Only Vanderburgh County (91.32) carries more overall disaster risk in Indiana.

Much higher risk than typical Indiana neighbors

Vigo's composite risk of 83.21 far exceeds nearby Vermillion County (23.44) and Warren County (5.76) in the north. The west-central Indiana location concentrates earthquake, tornado, and flood risks beyond surrounding counties.

Earthquakes and tornadoes are primary threats

Earthquake risk (91.38) and tornado risk (83.24) dominate Vigo County's hazard profile, with flood risk (85.11) adding a close third. All three rank in the upper range nationally, requiring serious preparedness planning.

Comprehensive insurance strategy essential

Homeowners must secure robust tornado and wind coverage through their standard policy; separate flood insurance is strongly recommended given the 85.11 flood risk score. Discuss earthquake insurance options with your agent, as Vigo's 91.38 earthquake risk is among Indiana's highest.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Vigo County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    83th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Vigo County

Risk Verdict

Vigo County's overall risk score at the 83th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Vigo County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (83th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Vigo County ranks at the 91th 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. Flood at the 85th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Vigo County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Vigo 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

Compared to other Indiana counties, Vigo County runs 37.7 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Vigo 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 Vigo County, IN?
Vigo County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Vigo County?
Vigo County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (91th percentile), flooding (85th percentile), tornado (83th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 91th 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 Vigo County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Vigo County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Vigo County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Vigo County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Vigo County's earthquake risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Vigo County is at the 85th 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 Vigo County higher risk than average?
Vigo County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (91th percentile), along with flooding and tornado 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

Elkhart County

Indiana

+0.5

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Tippecanoe County

Indiana

-1.4

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Porter County

Indiana

-1.8

Relatively Moderate

81th 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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