Ottawa County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Ottawa County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.2, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Ottawa County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 59.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.42 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $187K in expected annual loss and about 8.89 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $300K in expected annual loss and about 1.19 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ottawa County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Ottawa County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 5 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, Ottawa County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.42 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.89 / yr | $187K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $300K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $15M |
| Hail | Low | 3.28 / yr | $595K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $340K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.02 / yr | $88K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $45K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $562K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.95 / yr | $172K |
| Lightning | Low | 37.27 / yr | $115K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $143 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Avalanche | 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
Ottawa County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| August 1992 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| May 1974 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
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 Ottawa County?
Ottawa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ottawa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $187K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $300K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ottawa County compare to other Ohio counties?
Ottawa County ranks #44 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ottawa County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Ottawa County since 1969, most often 5 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. Ottawa County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.