Wayne County
Indiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Wayne County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.1, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.31 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.76 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.07 / yr | $14M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $806K |
| Hail | Low | 4.24 / yr | $411K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.35 / yr | $247K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.95 / yr | $82K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.58 / yr | $57K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.16 / yr | $272K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $10K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other Indiana counties?
Wayne County ranks #19 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. Wayne County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.