Hancock County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Hancock County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.1, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $31M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hancock County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 54.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.31 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $589K in expected annual loss and about 1.03 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $31M in expected annual loss for a population of 75K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hancock 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: Hancock County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado events. The most recent was Tornadoes (tornado), declared in May 2024.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Hancock County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.31 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $589K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.42 / yr | $195K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.39 / yr | $19M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $804K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.12 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $49K |
| Lightning | Low | 40.94 / yr | $265K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.37 / yr | $228K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $312 |
| 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
Hancock County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Tornadoes in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Tornado (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hancock County?
Hancock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hancock County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $589K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hancock County compare to other Ohio counties?
Hancock County ranks #47 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hancock County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Hancock County since 1965, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado 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. Hancock County's $31M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.