Clark County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Clark County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.1, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clark County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 77.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $645K in expected annual loss and about 1.07 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 2.11 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $33M in expected annual loss for a population of 136K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clark 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.
History supports the rating: Clark County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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, Clark County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.07 / yr | $645K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.11 / yr | $22M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.43 / yr | $881K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.21 / yr | $202K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.24 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.39 / yr | $591K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.37 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $590K |
| Drought | Low | 0.55 / yr | $164K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $26K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Clark County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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 |
| 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 |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
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 Clark County?
Clark County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clark County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $645K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $22M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clark County compare to other Ohio counties?
Clark County ranks #17 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clark County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Clark County since 1974, 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. Clark County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.