Athens County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Athens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.7, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Athens County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $32K in expected annual loss and about 1.22 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $21M in expected annual loss and about 3.14 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $314K in expected annual loss and about 0.70 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 62K.
Beyond physical exposure, Athens County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Athens County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 11 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Athens County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.22 / yr | $32K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.14 / yr | $21M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.70 / yr | $314K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.16 / yr | $999K |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.77 / yr | $449K |
| Hail | Low | 2.85 / yr | $353K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.13 / yr | $609K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $94K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $236K |
| Drought | Low | 5.33 / yr | $89K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $699K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.37 / yr | $29K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $192K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Athens County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Athens County?
Athens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Athens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $32K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $21M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $314K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Athens County compare to other Ohio counties?
Athens County ranks #28 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Athens County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Athens County since 1968, most often 11 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Athens County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.