Huron County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Huron County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.3, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Huron County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 50.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 39.82 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $810K in expected annual loss and about 3.70 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $172K in expected annual loss and about 9.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Huron County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Huron County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1969, 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, Huron County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 39.82 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.70 / yr | $810K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.58 / yr | $172K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.26 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $195K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $9M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $320K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $1K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.26 / yr | $940K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $48K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $168K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Huron County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1969, 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 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| July 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| September 2003 | Other | Power Outage |
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 Huron County?
Huron County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Huron County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $810K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $172K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Huron County compare to other Ohio counties?
Huron County ranks #52 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Huron County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Huron County since 1969, 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. Huron County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.