Miami County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Miami County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.4, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Miami County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 61.4 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.
Most of Miami County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $456K in expected annual loss and about 1.01 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.56 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 109K.
Beyond physical exposure, Miami 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.
The federal record bears this out: Miami County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tornadoes (tornado), declared in May 2024.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Miami County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.01 / yr | $456K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.56 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.89 / yr | $710K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $17M |
| Hail | Low | 3.43 / yr | $684K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.95 / yr | $144K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $1K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $323K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $24K |
| Drought | Low | 0.22 / yr | $42K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Miami County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Tornadoes in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (3), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Miami County?
Miami County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.4 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 Miami County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $456K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Miami County compare to other Ohio counties?
Miami County ranks #38 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Miami County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Miami County since 1977, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Miami County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.