Morrow County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Morrow County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.4, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Morrow County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $223K in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $415K in expected annual loss and about 3.63 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $84K in expected annual loss and about 9.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Morrow County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Morrow County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Morrow County ranks #80 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $223K |
| Hail | Low | 3.63 / yr | $415K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.05 / yr | $84K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.20 / yr | $454K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $939K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $162K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.35 / yr | $158K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $121K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $188K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Morrow County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Morrow County?
Morrow County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Morrow County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $223K EAL), Hail (Low, $415K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $84K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Morrow County compare to other Ohio counties?
Morrow County ranks #80 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Morrow County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Morrow County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Morrow County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.