Mercer County

Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

31.6

National percentile: 32th

Mercer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.6, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $18M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 43K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Earthquake
Low $2M/yr
Tornado
Medium $4M/yr
Hail
Low $769K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $2M
Tornado Medium 0.31 / yr $4M
Hail Low 3.46 / yr $769K
Strong Wind Low 3.51 / yr $941K
Ice Storm Low 0.79 / yr $119K
Riverine Flood Low 2.25 / yr $9M
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $49K
Cold Wave Low 4.84 / yr $759K
Winter Weather Low 11.74 / yr $48K
Lightning Low 42.85 / yr $162K
Landslide Very Low 0.08 / yr $225
Heat Wave Very Low 4.00 / yr $83K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $4K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mercer County?

Mercer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Mercer County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Low, $769K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Mercer County compare to other Ohio counties?

Mercer County ranks #73 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

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. Mercer County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.