Fairfield County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Fairfield County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.6, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $39M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Fairfield County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 72.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $976K in expected annual loss and about 0.86 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $48K in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $39M in expected annual loss for a population of 159K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fairfield County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Fairfield County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1968, 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, Fairfield County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.86 / yr | $976K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.21 / yr | $48K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.82 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 45.98 / yr | $994K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.93 / yr | $27M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.16 / yr | $267K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.11 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 3.74 / yr | $982K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.55 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $490K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.32 / yr | $758K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Fairfield County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), 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 |
| 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 1992 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fairfield County?
Fairfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fairfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $976K EAL), Landslide (Low, $48K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fairfield County compare to other Ohio counties?
Fairfield County ranks #21 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fairfield County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Fairfield County since 1968, 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. Fairfield County's $39M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.