Gallia County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Gallia County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.3, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Gallia County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 48.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 48th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $31K in expected annual loss and about 1.10 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.53 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 2.96 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gallia County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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.
History supports the rating: Gallia County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Gallia County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.10 / yr | $31K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.53 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.96 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.44 / yr | $138K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $45K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.05 / yr | $40K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.61 / yr | $138K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $140K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Drought | Low | 2.15 / yr | $23K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.03 / yr | $188K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $294K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.83 / yr | $71K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $92K |
| 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
Gallia County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gallia County?
Gallia County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gallia County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $31K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gallia County compare to other Ohio counties?
Gallia County ranks #54 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gallia County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Gallia County since 1968, most often 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Gallia County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.