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

Carroll County Disaster Risk

Carroll County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

20th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#83

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carroll County, Ohio

Carroll County enjoys very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of just 19.94, Carroll County ranks among the nation's safest from natural disasters—well below the national average. This "Very Low" rating reflects substantially reduced exposure across all major hazard categories.

Well below Ohio's average risk

Carroll County's score of 19.94 sits far beneath Ohio's state average of 55.03, making it one of the lowest-risk counties in the state. Residents here enjoy significantly more favorable natural disaster exposure than most of their Ohio neighbors.

Among the safest in its region

Carroll County's 19.94 score is substantially lower than Clinton County (34.00) and Coshocton County (49.08). This favorable positioning reflects particularly low hazard exposure across multiple disaster types.

Tornado and hurricane risks are modest

Even Carroll County's highest hazard—tornado risk at 27.99—remains well below state and national medians. All other risks, including flood (42.84), earthquake (27.04), and wildfire (24.75), stay consistently low.

Standard homeowner's insurance typically sufficient

Carroll County's low risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance without specialized add-ons generally provides adequate protection. Still, keeping an emergency kit and tornado safety plan ensures readiness for rare but possible severe weather.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carroll County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    43th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    28th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Carroll County

Risk Verdict

Carroll County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 20th percentile nationally. Carroll County's 20th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Carroll County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 43th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk ranking at the 43th percentile nationally, Carroll County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 36th percentile nationally, means Carroll County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Registering for Carroll County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.

Regional Context

Carroll County falls 35.1 points below Ohio's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Carroll 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 Carroll County, OH?
Carroll County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 20th 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 Carroll County?
Carroll County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (43th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 43th 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 Carroll County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Carroll County's composite risk percentile is 20th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Carroll County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Carroll County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Carroll County's flooding risk is at the 43th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure.
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.
Is Carroll County a safe place to live?
Carroll County's composite risk score of 20th percentile is below the Ohio state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 43th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.