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FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Allen County Disaster Risk

Allen County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#20

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

83th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Allen County, Ohio

Allen County faces above-average risks

Allen County's composite risk score of 73.35 is substantially elevated, driven by severe flood and earthquake vulnerabilities that exceed national averages. Despite low wildfire risk, the county's flood (83.05), earthquake (83.17), and tornado (74.30) scores make it notably more exposed than most U.S. counties.

Among Ohio's highest-risk counties

At 73.35, Allen County's composite risk score ranks it well above Ohio's state average of 55.03, placing it in the upper tier of the state's most vulnerable counties. The county's flood and earthquake hazards particularly distinguish it as a higher-risk area within Ohio.

Stands out as the riskiest neighbor

Allen County's score of 73.35 significantly exceeds nearby Auglaize County (41.76) and Ashland County (46.34), making it the most hazard-exposed in its immediate region. The disparity is especially pronounced in flood risk, where Allen County's 83.05 dwarfs surrounding counties' scores.

Flooding and earthquakes dominate

Flooding (83.05) and earthquakes (83.17) are Allen County's two greatest hazard threats, both ranking in the highest percentiles nationally. Tornado risk at 74.30 adds a third significant concern, creating a tripled-threat environment for preparedness planning.

Comprehensive insurance is essential

Allen County residents must secure flood insurance immediately—the county's 83.05 flood score indicates widespread exposure that standard policies exclude. Earthquake insurance should also be prioritized, and all residents should maintain updated emergency kits and know their home's safe room location for tornado events.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Allen County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Allen County

Risk Verdict

Allen County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 73th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Allen County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Allen County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 83th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Allen County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Allen County's flood risk at the 83th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Allen County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

A composite score 18.3 points above the Ohio state average puts Allen County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Allen County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Allen County, OH?
Allen County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Allen County?
Allen County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (83th percentile), flooding (83th percentile), tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 83th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Allen County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Allen County's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Allen County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Allen County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Allen County's earthquake risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Allen County is at the 83th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Allen County higher risk than average?
Allen County's composite risk score of 73th percentile is above the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (83th percentile), along with flooding and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Fairfield County

Ohio

-0.7

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Belmont County

Ohio

+1.8

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Greene County

Ohio

+2.3

Relatively Low

76th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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