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

Wabash County Disaster Risk

Wabash County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

47th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wabash County, Indiana

Wabash County faces moderate national disaster risk

Wabash County's composite risk score of 40.97 sits slightly below the national average, positioning it in the lower-risk category nationally. This very low rating suggests residents face fewer catastrophic hazard exposures than many U.S. counties.

About average risk for Indiana

At 40.97, Wabash County's composite risk score is nearly identical to Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the middle of the state's hazard distribution. The county is safer than southern Indiana but faces similar pressures to other north-central regions.

Comparable to surrounding counties

Wabash County's score of 40.97 closely mirrors Washington County (40.94) to the south and Vermillion County (23.44) to the west. The northeast Indiana location provides moderate protection relative to the state's highest-risk southern counties.

Tornado risk significantly exceeds other hazards

Tornado risk (71.66) is Wabash County's dominant concern, marking it as a meaningful threat in the county's hazard profile. Earthquake risk (53.28) and flood risk (47.33) follow, but all remain manageable relative to the state's most hazard-prone areas.

Prioritize tornado protection in your policy

Standard homeowners insurance must include comprehensive tornado and wind coverage, given Wabash's 71.66 tornado risk score. Flood insurance warrants consideration if your property is within any mapped flood zone, and verify earthquake coverage isn't needed for your specific risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wabash County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    47th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Wabash County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Wabash County ranks at the 41th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 41th percentile nationally, Wabash County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Wabash County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (47th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 72th percentile nationally makes Wabash County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 53th percentile nationally means Wabash County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Wabash County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

Wabash County sits within 4.6 composite points of the Indiana state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.

Is your household prepared for Wabash 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 Wabash County, IN?
Wabash County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 41th 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 Wabash County?
Wabash County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (72th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), flooding (47th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 72th 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 Wabash County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Wabash County's composite risk percentile is 41th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wabash County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Wabash County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Wabash County's tornado risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wabash County is at the 47th 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 Wabash County a safe place to live?
Wabash County's composite risk score of 41th 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 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.