riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Vigo County

Risk Verdict

Vigo County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 83th 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 Vigo County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 85th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (83th), hurricane (42th), wildfire (27th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Vigo County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Vigo County is significantly riskier than the average county in Indiana. Its composite risk score is 37.7 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 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 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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