Meigs County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Meigs County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.0, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Meigs County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $34K in expected annual loss and about 1.08 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $190K in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 3.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Meigs County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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: Meigs County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Meigs County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.08 / yr | $34K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $190K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.07 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.63 / yr | $511K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $85K |
| Drought | Low | 5.35 / yr | $92K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.42 / yr | $143K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $104K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.06 / yr | $209K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $252K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.87 / yr | $59K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.74 / yr | $11K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $125K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Meigs County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), 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 |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Meigs County?
Meigs County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Meigs County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $34K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $190K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Meigs County compare to other Ohio counties?
Meigs County ranks #49 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Meigs County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Meigs County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 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. Meigs County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.