Van Wert County

Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

20.1

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

Expected Annual Loss $9M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 29K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Strong Wind
Medium $1M/yr
Earthquake
Very Low $461K/yr
Hail
Low $354K/yr

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

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.

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.