Ashland County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Ashland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.3, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Ashland County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 46.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $904K in expected annual loss and about 4.06 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $413K in expected annual loss and about 0.48 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $190K in expected annual loss and about 10.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 52K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ashland 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: Ashland County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, 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, Ashland County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.06 / yr | $904K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $413K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.32 / yr | $190K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.29 / yr | $884K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $9M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.20 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 40.30 / yr | $295K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $1K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $362K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $194K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $42K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $705K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Ashland County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2003 | Other | Power Outage |
| November 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ashland County?
Ashland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ashland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $904K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $413K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $190K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ashland County compare to other Ohio counties?
Ashland County ranks #57 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ashland County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Ashland County since 1969, 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. Ashland County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.