Auglaize County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

41.8

National percentile: 42th

Auglaize County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.8, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and hail 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 Auglaize County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 41.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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.

The county's risk is driven primarily by earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $614K in expected annual loss and about 3.33 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $151K in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 46K.

Beyond physical exposure, Auglaize County has a low 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 federal record bears this out: Auglaize County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado events. The most recent was Tornadoes (tornado), declared in May 2024.

Among 88 Ohio counties, Auglaize County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $15M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 46K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Low $1M/yr
Low $614K/yr
Low $151K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr$1M
Hail Low 3.33 / yr$614K
Ice Storm Low 0.78 / yr$151K
Winter Weather Low 11.84 / yr$98K
Tornado Low 0.25 / yr$2M
Riverine Flood Low 1.89 / yr$9M
Strong Wind Low 3.16 / yr$632K
Lightning Low 42.55 / yr$216K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr$33K
Cold Wave Low 4.89 / yr$710K
Landslide Very Low 0.07 / yr$396
Heat Wave Very Low 3.95 / yr$160K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr$2K
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

Auglaize County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Tornadoes in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Tornado (2), Biological (2).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
May 2024TornadoTornadoes
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
June 2019TornadoSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide
August 2012Severe StormSevere Storms and Straight-Line Winds
June 2012Severe StormSevere Storms
September 2005HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
February 2005Severe StormSevere Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides
September 2004Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
July 2003Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding

Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.

Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Auglaize County?

Auglaize County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Auglaize County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $614K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $151K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Auglaize County compare to other Ohio counties?

Auglaize County ranks #64 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Auglaize County had?

FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Auglaize County since 1978, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado events. The most recent was Tornadoes, declared in May 2024.

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. Auglaize County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.