Marion County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Marion County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.1, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Marion County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 61.1 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 4.37 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.48 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $855K in expected annual loss and about 3.59 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 65K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marion County has a medium 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: Marion County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 4 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, Marion County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.37 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.48 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.59 / yr | $855K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.21 / yr | $158K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $259K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $669K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.00 / yr | $10M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 42.29 / yr | $272K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $40K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.84 / yr | $208K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $303 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Marion County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), 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 |
| 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 |
| August 1995 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 1987 | Flood | Severe Storms & 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 Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.1 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 Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $855K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other Ohio counties?
Marion County ranks #40 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marion County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Marion County since 1977, most often 4 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. Marion County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.