Champaign County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Champaign County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.7, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Champaign County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 26.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $145K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $454K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $385K in expected annual loss and about 3.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 39K.
Beyond physical exposure, Champaign County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Champaign County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 6 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, Champaign County ranks #75 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.80 / yr | $145K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $454K |
| Hail | Low | 3.35 / yr | $385K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.74 / yr | $78K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 0.55 / yr | $176K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.28 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.39 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Low | 45.00 / yr | $205K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $741K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.46 / yr | $386K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.95 / yr | $127K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Champaign County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 1995 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Champaign County?
Champaign County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Champaign County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Low, $145K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $454K EAL), Hail (Low, $385K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Champaign County compare to other Ohio counties?
Champaign County ranks #75 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Champaign County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Champaign County since 1978, most often 6 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. Champaign County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.