Morgan County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Morgan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.2, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Morgan County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Morgan County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $24K in expected annual loss and about 1.04 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $182K in expected annual loss and about 6.10 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $78K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Morgan County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Morgan County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Morgan County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.04 / yr | $24K |
| Drought | Low | 6.10 / yr | $182K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.80 / yr | $78K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.95 / yr | $148K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.45 / yr | $105K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.67 / yr | $90K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $174K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.24 / yr | $87K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $84K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.84 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Morgan County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (3), 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 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Morgan County?
Morgan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Morgan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $24K EAL), Drought (Low, $182K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $78K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Morgan County compare to other Ohio counties?
Morgan County ranks #84 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Morgan County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Morgan County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 3 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. Morgan County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.