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

Wells County Disaster Risk

Wells County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#75

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wells County, Indiana

Wells County enjoys exceptional disaster resilience

With a composite risk score of just 22.84, Wells County rates as very low risk—nearly half the state average of 45.52. This favorable standing reflects consistently modest exposure across most major natural hazard categories.

Among Indiana's safest counties overall

Wells County ranks near the bottom tier of Indiana's 92 counties for composite risk exposure. Its tornado risk (59.06) and earthquake risk (49.81) both sit below statewide medians, providing residents with substantially lower vulnerability than many peer counties.

Wells County leads its region in safety

Among northeastern neighbors, Wells County (22.84) edges out Whitley County (24.59) as the region's safest. Even so, nearby Wayne County's score of 74.11 demonstrates that risk varies sharply across short distances in this part of Indiana.

Tornado season remains the primary hazard

Tornadoes pose the highest relative risk at 59.06, though this still falls comfortably below state and national averages. Flood risk (37.66) ranks second, while wildfire (4.96) and hurricane exposure (26.53) remain minimal concerns for most residents.

Standard coverage meets most Wells County needs

Wells County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance and a tornado safety plan typically provide adequate protection. However, flood insurance remains wise if your property lies near streams or drainage areas, and earthquake coverage costs little to add.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wells County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wells County

Risk Verdict

Wells County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 23th percentile nationally. Wells County's 23th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Wells County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (38th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Wells County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 59th percentile nationally. For Wells County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Wells County at the 50th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Wells County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Indiana county average exceeds Wells County's score by 22.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Wells 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 Wells County, IN?
Wells County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Wells County?
Wells County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (59th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), flooding (38th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 59th 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 Wells County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Wells County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wells County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Wells County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Wells County's tornado risk is at the 59th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wells County is at the 38th 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 Wells County a safe place to live?
Wells County's composite risk score of 23th 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 59th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jay County

Indiana

+0.0

Very Low

23th percentile

Decatur County

Indiana

+0.3

Very Low

23th percentile

Scott County

Indiana

-0.6

Very Low

22th percentile

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.

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