Tuscarawas County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Tuscarawas County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.0, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tuscarawas County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 69.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $974K in expected annual loss and about 4.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $17M in expected annual loss and about 2.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 93K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tuscarawas County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Tuscarawas County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, 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, Tuscarawas County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.00 / yr | $974K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.90 / yr | $19K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.43 / yr | $17M |
| Lightning | Medium | 41.40 / yr | $574K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $213K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.89 / yr | $104K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.11 / yr | $574K |
| Drought | Medium | 3.19 / yr | $307K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.16 / yr | $564K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $274K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $47K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $847K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.89 / yr | $288K |
| 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
Tuscarawas County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, 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 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike |
| 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 |
| January 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| June 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and 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 Tuscarawas County?
Tuscarawas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tuscarawas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $974K EAL), Landslide (Low, $19K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $17M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tuscarawas County compare to other Ohio counties?
Tuscarawas County ranks #27 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tuscarawas County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Tuscarawas County since 1969, 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. Tuscarawas County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.