Highland County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
Highland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.2, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Highland County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 43.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 43rd 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $826K in expected annual loss and about 3.99 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $10K in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $239K in expected annual loss and about 1.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Highland County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Highland County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 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, Highland County ranks #61 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 3.99 / yr | $826K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.24 / yr | $10K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.04 / yr | $239K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.47 / yr | $675K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $488K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $82K |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.65 / yr | $302K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.75 / yr | $8M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.37 / yr | $61K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.27 / yr | $469K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $47K |
| Hail | Low | 3.28 / yr | $176K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.47 / yr | $479K |
| 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
Highland County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (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 |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
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 Highland County?
Highland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 43th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Highland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $826K EAL), Landslide (Low, $10K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $239K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Highland County compare to other Ohio counties?
Highland County ranks #61 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Highland County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Highland County since 1965, most often 6 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. Highland County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.