Wayne County, Ohio Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OH
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Wayne County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.9, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wayne County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 64.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.13 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $272K in expected annual loss and about 9.95 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $464K in expected annual loss and about 0.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 117K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wayne County has a medium 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Wayne County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 4 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, Wayne County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.13 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 9.95 / yr | $272K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.48 / yr | $464K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.30 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 40.61 / yr | $566K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $13M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.26 / yr | $767K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $354K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.11 / yr | $947K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $81K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $618 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $336 |
| 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
Wayne County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| November 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| February 1977 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| July 1969 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $272K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $464K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other Ohio counties?
Wayne County ranks #32 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wayne County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Wayne County since 1969, most often 4 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. Wayne County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.