Crawford County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Crawford County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.2, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Crawford County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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.
Most of Crawford County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $431K in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $530K in expected annual loss and about 3.65 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $105K in expected annual loss and about 9.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crawford County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Crawford County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tornadoes (tornado), declared in May 2024.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Crawford County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $431K |
| Hail | Low | 3.65 / yr | $530K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.32 / yr | $105K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.32 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $332K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Low | 41.42 / yr | $255K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.30 / yr | $593K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $25K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $323 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $117K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Crawford County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Tornadoes in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Crawford County?
Crawford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Crawford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $431K EAL), Hail (Low, $530K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $105K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crawford County compare to other Ohio counties?
Crawford County ranks #67 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crawford County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Crawford County since 1977, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tornadoes, declared in May 2024.
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. Crawford County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.