Noble County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Noble County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.5, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Noble County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $29K in expected annual loss and about 0.95 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $56K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $66K in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Noble County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Noble County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Noble County ranks #86 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.95 / yr | $29K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $56K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $66K |
| Drought | Low | 5.95 / yr | $70K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.22 / yr | $136K |
| Hail | Low | 2.74 / yr | $132K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.21 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.26 / yr | $103K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $296K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.11 / yr | $10K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.63 / yr | $116K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $95K |
| 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
Noble County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (4), 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 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Noble County?
Noble County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Noble County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $29K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $56K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $66K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Noble County compare to other Ohio counties?
Noble County ranks #86 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Noble County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Noble County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 4 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. Noble County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.