Licking County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Licking County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.9, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $48M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Licking County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 78.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 79th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.26 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $82K in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $405K in expected annual loss and about 11.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $48M in expected annual loss for a population of 178K.
Beyond physical exposure, Licking County has a very low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Licking County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado events. The most recent was Tornadoes (tornado), declared in May 2024.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Licking County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 3.26 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $82K |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.53 / yr | $405K |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.80 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.54 / yr | $33M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.45 / yr | $761K |
| Lightning | High | 43.76 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.79 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 1.94 / yr | $493K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $755K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.63 / yr | $704K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Licking County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Tornadoes in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Tornado (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Licking County?
Licking County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Licking County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $82K EAL), Winter Weather (High, $405K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Licking County compare to other Ohio counties?
Licking County ranks #12 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Licking County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Licking County since 1968, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado events. The most recent was Tornadoes, declared in May 2024.
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. Licking County's $48M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.