Clermont County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Clermont County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.9, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $47M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clermont County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 77.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 78th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 49.81 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $958K in expected annual loss and about 0.97 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.92 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $47M in expected annual loss for a population of 209K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clermont County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Clermont County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Clermont County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 49.81 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.97 / yr | $958K |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.92 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.26 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.28 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.26 / yr | $28K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.95 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.16 / yr | $275K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.61 / yr | $26M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 3.25 / yr | $408K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Drought | Low | 2.28 / yr | $64K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Clermont County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clermont County?
Clermont County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clermont County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $958K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clermont County compare to other Ohio counties?
Clermont County ranks #14 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clermont County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Clermont County since 1968, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Clermont County's $47M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.