Stark County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Stark County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.9, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $77M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Stark County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Stark County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 4.38 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 40.92 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $50M in expected annual loss and about 2.18 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $77M in expected annual loss for a population of 375K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stark 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: Stark County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 5 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, Stark County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 4.38 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | High | 40.92 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.18 / yr | $50M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.48 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.16 / yr | $408K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.45 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.95 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $178K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Drought | Low | 0.12 / yr | $41K |
| 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
Stark County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| July 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2003 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Stark County?
Stark County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stark County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $6M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $50M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stark County compare to other Ohio counties?
Stark County ranks #8 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stark County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Stark County since 1969, most often 5 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. Stark County's $77M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.