Lake County
Indiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 96th
Lake County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 95.9, 96th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $191M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Very High | 3.63 / yr | $47M |
| Tornado | Very High | 0.42 / yr | $41M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.39 / yr | $90M |
| Winter Weather | High | 14.06 / yr | $576K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.16 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.52 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 43.47 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $299K |
| Hail | Low | 3.74 / yr | $560K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $120K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | 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 Lake County?
Lake County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 95.9 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 96th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lake County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Very High, $47M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $41M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $90M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lake County compare to other Indiana counties?
Lake County ranks #2 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Lake County's $191M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.