riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Washington County Disaster Risk

Washington County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

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 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Washington County

Risk Verdict

Washington County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 41th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Washington County, scoring in the 77th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 68th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (47th), hurricane (21th), wildfire (11th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Washington County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Washington County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Indiana. Its composite risk score is within 4.6 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Indiana as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, IN?
Washington 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 Washington County?
Washington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (77th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), flooding (47th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 77th 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 Washington County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Washington 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 Washington County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Washington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Washington County's tornado risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Washington 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 Washington County a safe place to live?
Washington 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 77th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wabash County

Indiana

+0.0

Very Low

41th percentile

Montgomery County

Indiana

+0.1

Very Low

41th percentile

DeKalb County

Indiana

+0.4

Very Low

41th 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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