Geauga County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Geauga County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.3, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Geauga County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $476K in expected annual loss and about 24.37 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.99 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $618K in expected annual loss and about 3.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 95K.
Beyond physical exposure, Geauga County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Geauga County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 5 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, Geauga County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 24.37 / yr | $476K |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.99 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.58 / yr | $618K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $14M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.99 / yr | $223K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.58 / yr | $439K |
| Lightning | Low | 39.73 / yr | $234K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $209K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $40K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $401 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $272K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / 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
Geauga County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2003 | Other | Power Outage |
| 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 Geauga County?
Geauga County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Geauga County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $476K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $618K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Geauga County compare to other Ohio counties?
Geauga County ranks #43 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Geauga County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Geauga County since 1969, most often 5 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. Geauga County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.