Paulding County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Paulding County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.2, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Paulding County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 21.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $360K in expected annual loss and about 3.34 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $307K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Paulding County has a low 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: Paulding County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Paulding County ranks #81 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 3.34 / yr | $360K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $307K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.37 / yr | $83K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.26 / yr | $549K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $514 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.00 / yr | $24K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.37 / yr | $268K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.87 / yr | $66K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.68 / yr | $50K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Paulding County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Flood (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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 1996 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 1982 | 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 Paulding County?
Paulding County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Paulding County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $360K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $307K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Paulding County compare to other Ohio counties?
Paulding County ranks #81 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Paulding County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Paulding County since 1974, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Paulding County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.