Putnam County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Putnam County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.9, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Putnam County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 32.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $671K in expected annual loss and about 3.30 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $164K in expected annual loss and about 1.18 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $435K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Putnam County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Putnam County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 7 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, Putnam County ranks #71 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 3.30 / yr | $671K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.18 / yr | $164K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $435K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.56 / yr | $800K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $9M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.28 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.95 / yr | $69K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $39K |
| Lightning | Low | 40.99 / yr | $146K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $326 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $475K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.68 / yr | $139K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Putnam County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Biological (2), Snowstorm (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 |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 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 1981 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding & Tornadoes |
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 Putnam County?
Putnam County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Putnam County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $671K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $164K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $435K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Putnam County compare to other Ohio counties?
Putnam County ranks #71 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Putnam County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Putnam County since 1974, most often 7 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. Putnam County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.