Ohio County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Ohio County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.4, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Ohio County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 3.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $28K in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $542K in expected annual loss and about 3.91 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $780K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ohio County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Ohio County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Ohio County ranks #92 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.17 / yr | $28K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.91 / yr | $542K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.06 / yr | $780K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.52 / yr | $9K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.79 / yr | $245K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.91 / yr | $16K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.75 / yr | $54K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.42 / yr | $28K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.04 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $256 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.53 / yr | $5K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.58 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $439 |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Ohio County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ohio County?
Ohio County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ohio County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $28K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $542K EAL), Tornado (Low, $780K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ohio County compare to other Indiana counties?
Ohio County ranks #92 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ohio County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Ohio County since 1968, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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. Ohio County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.