Knox County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Knox County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.0, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Knox County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 61.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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.
Most of Knox County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.77 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.13 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $320K in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 63K.
Beyond physical exposure, Knox County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Knox County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 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, Knox County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.77 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.13 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $320K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.42 / yr | $157K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $12M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.28 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Medium | 41.99 / yr | $347K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.47 / yr | $463K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $217K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $27K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Knox County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2003 | Other | Power Outage |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Knox County?
Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $320K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knox County compare to other Ohio counties?
Knox County ranks #41 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Knox County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Knox County since 1977, most often 7 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. Knox County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.