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

Warren County Disaster Risk

Warren County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#89

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

12th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Indiana

Warren County among nation's safest

Warren County's composite risk score of 5.76 ranks it among the lowest-risk counties in the United States. This very low rating reflects exceptional resilience to major natural disasters.

Second-safest county in Indiana

At 5.76, Warren County's composite risk is just barely higher than Union County (5.22) and dramatically lower than Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county offers one of the state's safest natural disaster profiles.

Extraordinarily safe compared to region

Warren's composite risk of 5.76 is dramatically lower than nearby Vermillion County (23.44) and Wabash County (40.97) to the east. Few counties in Indiana match Warren's exceptional safety profile.

Earthquake and tornado risks are modest

Earthquake risk (36.80) and tornado risk (23.82) are Warren County's top hazards, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk (12.28) poses minimal exposure, and wildfire risk (2.48) is exceptionally low.

Standard homeowners insurance is appropriate

Warren County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance with basic tornado and wind protections is typically sufficient. Renters should confirm these protections are included but need not pursue supplemental specialized disaster coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Warren County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    37th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    24th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    24th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Warren County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Warren County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 6th percentile. The 6th percentile national ranking is one lens; Warren County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 24th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (24th percentile), flood (12th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 37th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Warren County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Warren County's tornado risk at the 24th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Warren County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Warren County is 39.8 composite risk points below the Indiana state mean, meaning most other Indiana counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Warren 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 Warren County, IN?
Warren County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Warren County?
Warren County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (37th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile), flooding (12th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 37th 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 Warren County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Warren County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Warren County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Warren County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Warren County's earthquake risk is at the 37th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Warren County is at the 12th 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 Warren County a safe place to live?
Warren County's composite risk score of 6th 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 37th 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.