Greene County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Greene County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.7, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $42M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Greene County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 3.95 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $788K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.22 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $42M in expected annual loss for a population of 168K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greene 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.
History supports the rating: Greene County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 5 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Greene County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 3.95 / yr | $10M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.12 / yr | $788K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.22 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.14 / yr | $20M |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.51 / yr | $708K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.43 / yr | $790K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.84 / yr | $163K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.84 / yr | $883K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Low | 0.65 / yr | $140K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $30K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Greene County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| 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 |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 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 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greene County?
Greene County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greene County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $788K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greene County compare to other Ohio counties?
Greene County ranks #18 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greene County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Greene County since 1968, most often 5 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Greene County's $42M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.