Coshocton County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Coshocton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.1, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Coshocton County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 Coshocton County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $28K in expected annual loss and about 0.99 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $494K in expected annual loss and about 42.10 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $486K in expected annual loss and about 3.66 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Coshocton County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Coshocton County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 7 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, Coshocton County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.99 / yr | $28K |
| Lightning | Medium | 42.10 / yr | $494K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.66 / yr | $486K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.93 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $106K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.74 / yr | $57K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $255K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $745K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.97 / yr | $321K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $62K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $196K |
| 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
Coshocton County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Coshocton County?
Coshocton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Coshocton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $28K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $494K EAL), Hail (Medium, $486K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Coshocton County compare to other Ohio counties?
Coshocton County ranks #53 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Coshocton County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Coshocton County since 1969, most often 7 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. Coshocton County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.