Washington County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Washington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.4, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Washington County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 64.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $43K in expected annual loss and about 1.49 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $19M in expected annual loss and about 4.04 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $238K in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 60K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washington County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Washington County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 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, Washington County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.49 / yr | $43K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 4.04 / yr | $19M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $238K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.05 / yr | $660K |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.34 / yr | $361K |
| Drought | Low | 4.03 / yr | $293K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $142K |
| Hail | Low | 2.59 / yr | $320K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.10 / yr | $528K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $218K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $566K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.47 / yr | $20K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $160K |
| 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
Washington County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), 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 |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $43K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $19M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $238K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Ohio counties?
Washington County ranks #33 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washington County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Washington County since 1968, most often 10 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. Washington County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.