Richland County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Richland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.3, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Richland County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 61.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $842K in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.85 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $342K in expected annual loss and about 9.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 125K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richland County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Richland County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tornadoes (tornado), declared in May 2024.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Richland County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.42 / yr | $842K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.85 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 9.95 / yr | $342K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.68 / yr | $14M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.28 / yr | $982K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $862K |
| Lightning | Medium | 40.65 / yr | $470K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $385K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $45K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.26 / yr | $766K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| 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
Richland County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Tornadoes in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (4), Tornado (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| 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 |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Richland County?
Richland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $842K EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $342K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richland County compare to other Ohio counties?
Richland County ranks #39 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richland County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Richland County since 1969, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tornadoes, declared in May 2024.
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. Richland County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.