Vinton County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Vinton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.8, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Vinton County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 11.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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.
Most of Vinton County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $29K in expected annual loss and about 0.98 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $68K in expected annual loss and about 0.85 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $186K in expected annual loss and about 3.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Vinton County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Vinton County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 88 Ohio counties, Vinton County ranks #87 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.98 / yr | $29K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.85 / yr | $68K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $186K |
| Drought | Low | 6.10 / yr | $50K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.43 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 46.22 / yr | $95K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $45K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.92 / yr | $58K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $195K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.26 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.27 / yr | $72K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.47 / yr | $57K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $980 |
| 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
Vinton County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2003 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Vinton County?
Vinton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Vinton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $29K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $68K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $186K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Vinton County compare to other Ohio counties?
Vinton County ranks #87 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Vinton County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Vinton County since 1968, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Vinton County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.