Perry County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Perry County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.0, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Perry County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 26.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 26th 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.
Most of Perry County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $14K in expected annual loss and about 0.68 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $176K in expected annual loss and about 0.84 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $364K in expected annual loss and about 4.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perry County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Perry County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 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, Perry County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.68 / yr | $14K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $176K |
| Drought | Medium | 4.89 / yr | $364K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.70 / yr | $355K |
| Hail | Low | 2.73 / yr | $230K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.95 / yr | $307K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $110K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.21 / yr | $36K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $547K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.40 / yr | $202K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $78K |
| 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
Perry County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), 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 |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Perry County?
Perry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Perry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $14K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $176K EAL), Drought (Medium, $364K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perry County compare to other Ohio counties?
Perry County ranks #76 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perry County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Perry County since 1968, most often 10 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. Perry County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.