Natural Disaster Risk in Ellettsville

Natural Hazard Profile: Ellettsville, Indiana

Ellettsville, in Monroe County, is a town of roughly 7,399 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid continental climate brings cold winters and warm, humid summers with variable severe weather, and in particular spring tornado risk across the state. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Ellettsville residents and property owners must navigate.

Ellettsville's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.5/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Strong wind is the primary natural hazard, with the area exposed to downburst winds from convective storms that can exceed 80 mph and cause hurricane-level localized damage. Secondary hazards include winter and earthquake.

Within Indiana, Ellettsville's risk is, slightly above the 5.5/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Monroe County identifies wind as the foremost hazard, followed by winter and earthquake. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Ellettsville residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for wind and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.