Indianapolis, IN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Indianapolis is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Marion County, IN. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, heat wave, and cold wave.
Storm events near Indianapolis
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Indianapolis's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Indianapolis itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Marion County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Indianapolis along with the rest of the county, not a Indianapolis-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 22.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 98.3 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 96.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 98.7 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 99 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 98.7 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 37 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 93.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 34.1 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 85.3 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 65.9 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 96.9 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 98.7 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 93.7 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Marion County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Marion County:
More on Marion County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Indianapolis, IN at risk of?
Indianapolis is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Marion County, where Indianapolis is located, are tornado, heat wave, and cold wave.
What is Indianapolis's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Marion County, where Indianapolis is located, scoring 99 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Indianapolis a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Indianapolis carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Marion County.
Has Indianapolis had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 19 tornado, 189 hail, 77 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Indianapolis since 2016.