Jackson County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Jackson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.8, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jackson County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th 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 Jackson County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $24K in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $742K in expected annual loss and about 3.79 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $143K in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Jackson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Jackson County ranks #66 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.87 / yr | $24K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.79 / yr | $742K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $143K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Low | 46.43 / yr | $188K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $50K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $153K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $458K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.91 / yr | $92K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.24 / yr | $210K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.53 / yr | $15K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.11 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $97K |
| 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
Jackson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $24K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $742K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $143K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other Ohio counties?
Jackson County ranks #66 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Jackson County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.