Preble County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
Preble County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.3, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Preble County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 43.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 43rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.14 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $577K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 41K.
Beyond physical exposure, Preble 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: Preble County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Preble County ranks #60 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.14 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $577K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $153K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.26 / yr | $913K |
| Hail | Low | 3.79 / yr | $248K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.11 / yr | $43K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.31 / yr | $152K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.21 / yr | $178K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $27K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Preble County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
| June 1989 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Preble County?
Preble County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 43th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Preble County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $577K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Preble County compare to other Ohio counties?
Preble County ranks #60 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Preble County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Preble County since 1977, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Preble County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.