Pickaway County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Pickaway County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.9, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pickaway County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 50.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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.
Most of Pickaway County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.70 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $363K in expected annual loss and about 0.85 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 1.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pickaway 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pickaway County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Pickaway County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 3.70 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.85 / yr | $363K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.89 / yr | $12M |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.28 / yr | $464K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.26 / yr | $109K |
| Hail | Low | 3.02 / yr | $436K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.32 / yr | $602K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $376K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.75 / yr | $546K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.16 / yr | $372K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Pickaway County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Tornado (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 |
| 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 |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pickaway County?
Pickaway County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pickaway County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $363K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pickaway County compare to other Ohio counties?
Pickaway County ranks #51 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pickaway County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Pickaway County since 1965, most often 6 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado 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. Pickaway County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.