Madison County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Madison County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.9, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Madison County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 Madison County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $277K in expected annual loss and about 0.96 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $485K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $758K in expected annual loss and about 2.18 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 44K.
Beyond physical exposure, Madison County has a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Madison County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Madison County ranks #78 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $277K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $485K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.18 / yr | $758K |
| Hail | Low | 3.40 / yr | $350K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.26 / yr | $72K |
| Drought | Low | 1.07 / yr | $128K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.30 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 45.55 / yr | $243K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.05 / yr | $199K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $405 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.11 / yr | $500K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Madison County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (3), Biological (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 |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
| June 1990 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
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 Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $277K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $485K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $758K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Ohio counties?
Madison County ranks #78 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Madison County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Madison County since 1974, most often 5 for severe storm events and 3 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. Madison County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.