Adams County
Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Adams County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.8, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.96 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.79 / yr | $650K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $96K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.41 / yr | $604K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.71 / yr | $90K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.81 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $246K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.54 / yr | $204K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.05 / yr | $55K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $832K |
| Drought | Low | 2.38 / yr | $60K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.07 / yr | $78K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $216K |
| 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 Adams County?
Adams County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Adams County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Low, $10M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $650K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $96K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Adams County compare to other Ohio counties?
Adams County ranks #59 of 88 Ohio 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. Adams County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.