Holmes County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Holmes County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.4, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Holmes County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.4 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $824K in expected annual loss and about 4.12 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $13K in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $279K in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 44K.
Beyond physical exposure, Holmes County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Holmes County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, 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, Holmes County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.12 / yr | $824K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.54 / yr | $13K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.37 / yr | $279K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.53 / yr | $126K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Medium | 40.69 / yr | $260K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.26 / yr | $492K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $299K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $48K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.11 / yr | $436K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $93K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Holmes County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 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 Holmes County?
Holmes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.4 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 Holmes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $824K EAL), Landslide (Low, $13K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $279K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Holmes County compare to other Ohio counties?
Holmes County ranks #42 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Holmes County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Holmes County since 1969, 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. Holmes County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.