Ross County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Ross County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.9, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Ross County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 62.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $88K in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 47.01 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 77K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ross County has a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Ross County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 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, Ross County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $88K |
| Lightning | High | 47.01 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.89 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $316K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.39 / yr | $15M |
| Drought | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $460K |
| Hail | Low | 3.20 / yr | $350K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.84 / yr | $83K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.73 / yr | $641K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $313K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.63 / yr | $322K |
| 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
Ross County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ross County?
Ross County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ross County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $88K EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ross County compare to other Ohio counties?
Ross County ranks #34 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ross County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Ross County since 1968, most often 9 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. Ross County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.