Jefferson County
Indiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Jefferson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.3, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.27 / yr | $33K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.54 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $515K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $146K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.29 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Low | 49.88 / yr | $210K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $512K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.79 / yr | $166K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.46 / yr | $25K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.53 / yr | $27K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $79K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jefferson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $33K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jefferson County compare to other Indiana counties?
Jefferson County ranks #35 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Jefferson County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.