Portage County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Portage County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.1, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Portage County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 65.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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 Portage County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.16 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $554K in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $238K in expected annual loss and about 13.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 162K.
Beyond physical exposure, Portage 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: Portage County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 4 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, Portage County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.16 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.78 / yr | $554K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 13.47 / yr | $238K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.33 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $19M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 40.45 / yr | $538K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $865K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $148K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $384K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.68 / yr | $875K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $389 |
| 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
Portage County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Tornado (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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2003 | Other | Power Outage |
| August 2003 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds |
| August 1992 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| June 1985 | Tornado | Severe Storms & Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Portage County?
Portage County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Portage County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $554K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $238K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Portage County compare to other Ohio counties?
Portage County ranks #31 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Portage County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Portage County since 1977, most often 4 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. Portage County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.