Montgomery County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Montgomery County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.7, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $119M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Montgomery County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 92.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 93rd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Montgomery County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.15 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $119M in expected annual loss for a population of 537K.
Beyond physical exposure, Montgomery 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 federal record bears this out: Montgomery County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Montgomery County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 2.42 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.15 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | High | 3.51 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.39 / yr | $80M |
| Cold Wave | High | 4.16 / yr | $11M |
| Lightning | High | 46.91 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.31 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.26 / yr | $480K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.05 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.12 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $66K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $16K |
| 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
Montgomery County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| 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 |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montgomery County?
Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Hail (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montgomery County compare to other Ohio counties?
Montgomery County ranks #4 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Montgomery County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Montgomery County since 1968, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Montgomery County's $119M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.