HazardFacts

All states › Indiana › Howard County

Natural hazard risk in Howard County, Indiana

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 63.6 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$23.4 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1965
13[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$9.8 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
27[4]

FEMA rates the overall natural hazard risk for Howard County, Indiana as Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores in the county are strong wind, tornado and hail[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties[7]. FEMA estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $23.4 million a year in Howard County[1]. FEMA's largest hazard-type estimates are inland flooding, tornado and cold wave, in that order[8]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability as Relatively Moderate (score 40.7), which describes how susceptible social groups are to harm from natural hazards[9]. FEMA rates Community Resilience as Very High (score 87.8), which describes a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[10]. FEMA says the index does not predict next year's losses[7].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Strong WindRelatively High$1.6 million[11]
TornadoRelatively Moderate$4.8 million[12]
HailRelatively Moderate$887,000[13]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.3 million[14]
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$180,000[15]
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$2.5 million[16]
Heat WaveRelatively Low$875,000[17]
Inland FloodingRelatively Low$10.6 million[18]
DroughtRelatively Low$276,000[19]
Ice StormRelatively Low$105,000[20]
LightningRelatively Low$249,000[21]
LandslideVery Low$462[22]
HurricaneVery Low$18,000[23]
WildfireVery Low$4,909[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Moderate40.7[9]
Community resilienceVery High87.8[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Howard County as Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss of $10.6 million a year[18]. OpenFEMA lists 142 residential flood insurance contracts in force as of 2026-08-03, a penetration rate of 0.4%[26]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 86 flood insurance contracts for 348 residential structures, a rate of 24.7%[26]. OpenFEMA records 489 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $9.8 million in total[3]. For the flood zone of a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[18] Relatively Low, $10.6 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 142 of 34,693 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 348, of which 86 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 489 filed, $9.8 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 13 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County since 1965[2]. The most recent one in the facts is a Severe Winter Storm emergency declared 2026-01-24[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 27 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the most recent was on 2023-03-31[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County, since 1965
Incident type Declarations
Severe Storm[2] 5
Snowstorm[2] 3
Tornado[2] 1
Severe Ice Storm[2] 1
Hurricane[2] 1
Winter Storm[2] 1
Flood[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3641-IN[28] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
DR-4704-IN[28] Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes 2023-04-15
EM-3274-IN[28] Snow 2007-03-12
EM-3238-IN[28] Hurricane Katrina Evacuation 2005-09-10
DR-1573-IN[28] Severe Winter Storms And Flooding 2005-01-21

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Tornadoes

Before

  • Learn the warning signs: a rotating funnel cloud, an approaching cloud of debris or a loud roar like a freight train.
  • Sign up for community warning systems and learn what your local sirens sound like.
  • Pick a safe spot, such as a safe room built to FEMA criteria or an ICC 500 storm shelter, and practice getting there.
  • Include your pets in the household emergency plan.
  • Keep supplies, food, water and medication in case you have to stay home for a long time.

During

  • Go right away to the safe place you picked in advance.
  • Protect your head and neck with your arms and stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • No place in a car is fully safe. If you can get lower than the road, leave the car and lie down there.

Source: Ready.gov, tornadoes

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Questions people ask

Is Howard County, Indiana at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Howard County as Relatively Low compared with other US counties[18]. FEMA's largest hazard-type Expected Annual Loss estimate for the county is inland flooding at $10.6 million a year[8].
Does Howard County, Indiana have tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 27 tornadoes touching Howard County from 1950 to 2024[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[12].
Is Howard County, Indiana at risk of earthquakes or wildfire?
FEMA rates earthquake risk in Howard County as Relatively Low[14]. FEMA rates wildfire risk as Very Low[24].
How many disasters have been declared in Howard County, Indiana?
OpenFEMA lists 13 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County since 1965[2].
How do I check the flood zone of an address in Howard County?
Look up the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[27]. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of a single address[27].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Howard County is $23.4 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 65.8). Of this, buildings account for $16.0 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $7.0... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 13 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Howard County since 1965 (8 major disaster, 5 emergency or fire management). By incident type: severe storm 5, snowstorm 3, tornado 1, severe ice storm 1, hurricane 1, winter storm 1, flood 1. Biological... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 489 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Howard County, 411 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $9.8 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid). Years... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 27 recorded tornadoes touched Howard County. The strongest were rated F4 (most recent of them on 1965-04-11). 6 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2023-03-31. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Howard County is Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Howard County are strong wind (85.2, Relatively High), tornado (83.6, Relatively Moderate), hail (80.1, Relatively Moderate). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores;... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Howard County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($10.6 million a year), tornado ($4.8 million a year), cold wave ($2.5 million a year), out of $23.4 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Howard County is Relatively Moderate (score 40.7). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Howard County is Very High (score 87.8). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 85.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.6 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 5.15 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 83.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4.8 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.23 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 80.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $887,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 4.37 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 77.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.3 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0016 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 76.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $180,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 9.89 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 73.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.5 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 3.63 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 69.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $875,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 4.26 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 64.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $10.6 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.93 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26... FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 59.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $276,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 1.79 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 54.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $105,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.85 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Howard County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 51.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $249,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 44.55 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Howard County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 35.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $462 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Howard County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 32.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $18,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the Atlantic Basin... FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Howard County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 14.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4,909 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Howard County: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 142 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Howard County, out of 34,693 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.4%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 348 residential structures and 86 contracts, a rate... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  28. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.