Shelby County

Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

56.2

National percentile: 56th

Shelby County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.2, 56th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $18M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 48K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Earthquake
Low $3M/yr
Lightning
Medium $561K/yr
Hail
Medium $647K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $3M
Lightning Medium 43.59 / yr $561K
Hail Medium 3.24 / yr $647K
Ice Storm Medium 0.74 / yr $205K
Tornado Medium 0.27 / yr $2M
Winter Weather Medium 12.00 / yr $109K
Riverine Flood Low 1.93 / yr $9M
Landslide Very Low 0.09 / yr $2K
Strong Wind Medium 2.76 / yr $556K
Cold Wave Low 4.89 / yr $724K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $29K
Heat Wave Very Low 3.89 / yr $131K
Drought Very Low 0.11 / yr $5
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $3K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Shelby County?

Shelby County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 56th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Shelby County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $561K EAL), Hail (Medium, $647K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Shelby County compare to other Ohio counties?

Shelby County ranks #46 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

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. Shelby County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.