Hardin County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Hardin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.4, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hardin County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 24.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Hardin County's expected losses come from lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $524K in expected annual loss and about 41.64 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $462K in expected annual loss and about 3.42 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $820K in expected annual loss and about 2.80 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hardin County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Hardin County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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, Hardin County ranks #79 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 41.64 / yr | $524K |
| Hail | Low | 3.42 / yr | $462K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.80 / yr | $820K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $327K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.58 / yr | $77K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.48 / yr | $86K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.95 / yr | $981K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $52K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $930K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $283 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $108K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $644 |
| 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
Hardin County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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 |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| 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 |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hardin County?
Hardin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hardin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $524K EAL), Hail (Low, $462K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $820K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hardin County compare to other Ohio counties?
Hardin County ranks #79 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hardin County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Hardin County since 1977, 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. Hardin County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.