DeKalb County
Indiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
DeKalb County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.3, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.14 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 3.34 / yr | $508K |
| Drought | Low | 1.94 / yr | $254K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $407K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.47 / yr | $876K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $841 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.51 / yr | $60K |
| Lightning | Low | 39.01 / yr | $158K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.16 / yr | $34K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.37 / yr | $102K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeKalb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $508K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeKalb County compare to other Indiana counties?
DeKalb County ranks #49 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. DeKalb County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.