Allen County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Allen County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.3, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Allen County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 73.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $23M in expected annual loss and about 0.39 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 102K.
Beyond physical exposure, Allen County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Allen County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Allen County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $23M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.13 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.29 / yr | $834K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.89 / yr | $192K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $356K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 41.92 / yr | $291K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $409K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $54K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.47 / yr | $633K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $297 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Allen County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| April 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes & Severe Storms |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Allen County?
Allen County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Allen County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $23M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Allen County compare to other Ohio counties?
Allen County ranks #20 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Allen County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Allen County since 1965, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Allen County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.