Columbiana County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Columbiana County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.1, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by hail 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Columbiana County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 69.1 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.
Most of Columbiana County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.46 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $19M in expected annual loss and about 1.93 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $9K in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 102K.
Beyond physical exposure, Columbiana County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Columbiana County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Columbiana County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.46 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.93 / yr | $19M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.52 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Medium | 40.49 / yr | $528K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $169K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.47 / yr | $105K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.79 / yr | $527K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $175K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.60 / yr | $558K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $157K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $168K |
| 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
Columbiana County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Tornado (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2003 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds |
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 Columbiana County?
Columbiana County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.1 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 Columbiana County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $19M EAL), Landslide (Low, $9K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Columbiana County compare to other Ohio counties?
Columbiana County ranks #25 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Columbiana County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Columbiana County since 1977, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado 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. Columbiana County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.