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

Warrick County Disaster Risk

Warrick County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

65th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#23

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Warrick County, Indiana

Warrick County faces elevated national risk

Warrick County's composite risk score of 65.11 exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively low to moderate risk tier nationally. This reflects meaningful hazard exposure across multiple disaster types.

Mid-range risk for Indiana

Warrick's score of 65.11 is roughly 43% higher than Indiana's state average of 45.52, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of state hazard exposure. The county faces more risk than most northern Indiana counties but less than the highest-risk southern counties.

Lower than Vanderburgh, higher than most others

Warrick's composite risk of 65.11 falls below Vanderburgh County (91.32) to the north but exceeds Vigo County (83.21) when evaluated against other measures. The southwestern Indiana location concentrates certain hazards more than neighboring regions.

Earthquake and flood risks dominate

Earthquake risk (89.54) and flood risk (68.92) are Warrick County's primary concerns, with tornado risk (71.72) adding significant exposure. The Ohio River proximity and regional geology combine to create multiple meaningful hazards.

Comprehensive coverage protects your investment

Standard homeowners insurance must include tornado and wind protections; separate flood insurance is strongly recommended given Warrick's 68.92 flood risk score and river proximity. Consult your agent about earthquake coverage, as the county's 89.54 earthquake risk is substantial.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Warrick County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    69th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Warrick County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 65th, Warrick County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Warrick County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (69th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 90th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Warrick County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Tornado at the 72th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Warrick County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Warrick County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

At 19.6 points above the Indiana state average, Warrick County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Indiana county.

Is your household prepared for Warrick 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 Warrick County, IN?
Warrick County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 65th 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 Warrick County?
Warrick County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (90th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 90th 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 Warrick County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Warrick County's composite risk percentile is 65th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Warrick County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Warrick County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Warrick County's earthquake risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Warrick County is at the 69th 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 Warrick County higher risk than average?
Warrick County's composite risk score of 65th percentile is above the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (90th percentile), along with tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.