Van Wert County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Van Wert County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.1, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Van Wert County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 20.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.64 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $461K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $354K in expected annual loss and about 3.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Van Wert 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.
History supports the rating: Van Wert County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, 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, Van Wert County ranks #82 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.64 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $461K |
| Hail | Low | 3.25 / yr | $354K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.85 / yr | $57K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.89 / yr | $34K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.53 / yr | $340K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.16 / yr | $92K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.74 / yr | $75K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $79 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Van Wert County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, 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 |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| August 1992 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
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 Van Wert County?
Van Wert County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Van Wert County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $461K EAL), Hail (Low, $354K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Van Wert County compare to other Ohio counties?
Van Wert County ranks #82 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Van Wert County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Van Wert County since 1965, 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. Van Wert County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.