Muskingum County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Muskingum County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.9, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Muskingum County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 70.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $28K in expected annual loss and about 1.23 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $24M in expected annual loss and about 1.96 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $841K in expected annual loss and about 3.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 86K.
Beyond physical exposure, Muskingum 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.
History supports the rating: Muskingum County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 7 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, Muskingum County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.23 / yr | $28K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.96 / yr | $24M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.09 / yr | $841K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $250K |
| Lightning | Medium | 43.79 / yr | $499K |
| Drought | Medium | 5.60 / yr | $452K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.00 / yr | $115K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $657K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.60 / yr | $758K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $301K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $40K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.79 / yr | $349K |
| 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
Muskingum County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (3), Biological (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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Muskingum County?
Muskingum County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Muskingum County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $28K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $24M EAL), Hail (Medium, $841K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Muskingum County compare to other Ohio counties?
Muskingum County ranks #23 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Muskingum County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Muskingum County since 1969, most often 7 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. Muskingum County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.